Overspeed- an easy way to death
VoH
Dec. 17, 2009
Two vehicles were bumped in each other due to over speed at the U-Shaped round about at Zero Point, Karimabad, Hunza. The place is one of the dangerous points that can claim any precious life for there is little space for another vehicle to pass by. Phot by: Shamsuddin Muhammad.





PM changes portfolios of four federal ministers;Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo shifted from the Ministry of Industries and Production to Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs

VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday re-allocated the portfolios of four federal ministers including Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Waqar Ahmed Khan, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Qamar Zaman Kaira. Prime Minister Gilani has shifted Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo from the Ministry of Industries and Production to Kashmir Affairs, Waqar Ahmed Khan from Investment to Privatization and Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani from Education to Industries and Production. Qamar Zaman Kaira, who was also holding the charge of the Ministry Kashmir Affairs, will now have the portfolio of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting. Since there is no minister for the Ministries of Planning and Investment, therefore these ministries will directly report to the Prime Minister. This shuffle follows the one five days back by the Prime Minister when he changed portfolios of Federal Ministers Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani from Health to Sports, Pir Aftab Shah Jilani from Sports to Inter-Provincial Coordination and Makhdoom Shahabuddin from Planning and Development to Health.





The brave Hunzukutz given me this hounour; despite being the largest party PPP aims to form coalition government; our opponents propagated to bring additional seat within 3 months, we did it in one month says
Wazir Baig

VoH Report
HUNZA, Dec. 15:I t gives me an immense pleasure that I am speaking to you in capacity of Speaker of the newly elected Legislative Assembly and this all is becuase of the brave people of Hunza. These views were expressed by Wazir Baig, the newly elected Speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) while speaking to a public gathering at Karimabad, Hunza.

He said that today if I am here is because of the support of the people of Hunza who enable me to work not only for Hunza but also for the interest of the whole region. He said that honour and dignity is in hand of Lord saying I was not expected for the post but thankful to those who expressed their confidence and recommended me. He further said that Pakistan People's Part is the gaurdian of poor and has fulfilled its promises by delivering what it promised with the masses. He criticised the opponents in election who run their compaigns to bring additional seat with in three months saying we have done this with in a month in terms of technocrat seat to compensate Hunza. He said that people of Hunza-Nagar and Yasin like rest of the population of Gilgit-Baltistan have had their roles in the interest of the country. He paid his tribute to Ayub Khan, a soldier of Special Services Group (SSG) who laid his life to save some other prcious lives. Answering to a question regarding the assisination of Benazir Bhatto's case, he said that late Benazir was sincere to the poor and quouted Bilawal Bhatto saying "democracy is the biggest revenge" He claimed that Z.A Bhtto was committed to convert Gilgit-Baltistan into Paris which could not materialized due to cope diet of a dictator. He said that it was Bhutto who abolished darconian laws like FCR through which a DSP was allowed to detain and sentece any one he wanted. He said that it is the vision of our contemporary Imam Shah Karim Alhusaini to strengthen bridge with other communities especially the nighbouring one in order to ensure prosperity and we shall try our best to bring more trust among the people of Hunza-Nagar district. "I am equally greatful to the people of Nagar who gave me a warm welcome and accompanied me," he added. Mr. Muhammad Ali Akhtar, elected member from LA-4 of constituency two also adressed the ocasion and applaud the decision by Asif Ali Zardari to reconcile demands of people of Hunza-Nagar district. Mr. Muttabiat Shah in his speech thanked those who recommended his name for the position and vowed to work with spirit for the interest of the people in order to come to the expectations of masses. "though, I have spent many years in NGOs and now in a new field but I am sure that I will be able to deliver according to the aspiration of the people of Hunza for I would take guidence of an experienced leadership elected for the tenure," he added. Mean while a delegation of Hunza Action Committee also met speeker to wellcome and ensured their support in the work for public walfare.In the last of gathering, a traditional programe was arranged by People's Youth Organization to celebrate the event.







Successes, but enumerable challenges ahead;

Recommendation of Speaker won the hearts of Hunza-Nagar People: Muhammad Ali Akhtar

VoH Report

HUNZA, Dec. 15: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) Muhammad Ali Akhtar, elected member from GBLA-4 of constituency has said that the approval of Wazir Baig as speaker of house by central party leadership has won the hearts of people of Hunza-Nagar district.

He was addressing to the public gathering to welcome the newly elected speaker of house in his constiuency. He said that the approval of post of speaker by the central partry leader ship will be written in golden words and the decision will reduce the feeling of deprivation of people of Hunza-Nager. " Despite unusual successes, many of the challenges are ahead to be adressed in order to come to the aspirations and expectations of the people of the region," he added. He said the main challenges including job creation, poverty reduction,socio-economic impovement, physical infrastructure strengthening and many more to substain growth momentum in an evironment of regional stablity." We shall work as a servants mutually not like the rellers," he added.






Wazir and Mutabiat shah receives cordial accord at Hunza-Nagar; People showers flowers upon newly elected leadership; Muhammad Ali Akhtar accompanied in the rally to Hunza Karimabad.
VoH Watch
Aliabad, Dec. 14: People of Hunza – Nagar came to the roads to greet first speaker of Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly, Wazir Baig, today, as he started his first tour of Hunza, after being elected as speaker of the house. technocrat member of GBLA, Mutabiat, Shah, at the Nasirabad bridge, as they reached Hunza today on first day of their two days tour of the region.At Jaffarabad leaders of the Nagar community presented floral garlands to the speaker and congratulated him for bringing the honor to Hunza – Nagar district. The technocrat member of GBLA, Mutabiat Shah, along with PPP’s local leadership and hundreds of local notables and public greeted Wazir Baig at Nasirabad Bridge and welcomed him to Hunza. He was accompanied by Muhammad Ali Akhtar, GBLA member from Nagar 1, LA – 4. The speaker was taken to Karimabad, in the form of a procession by hundreds of people, riding dozens of vehicles. At Karimabad Wazir Baig thanked his voters and the people of Hunza for electing him as their representative. He also thanked the PPP’s leadership for making him speaker of the assembly. He further said that concrete efforts would be made to resolve all outstanding issues of Hunza valley. In an earlier interview to the press he had said that the culprits of corruption at Sost Port will be brought to justice. Mutabiat Shah thanked PPP’s leadership and his supporters for electing him as a technocrat member from Hunza valley. He reiterated his resolve to work closely with Wazir Baig to solve different issues facing Hunza valley. Tomorrow the two leaders of Hunza valley are scheduled to visit Gulmit and Sost, in Gojal vlley. They would address public gatherings in Gojal. Courtesy: Pamir Times





Salgirah of Aga Khan (4th) Observed in Gilgit-Baltistan; Mountain Lighting and illumination work turned valleys into twinkling garden; Special programs arranged to mark the day
VoH Report
By: Shamsuddin Muhammad
HUNZA, Dec.14: Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, celebrated the seventy third birthday of Shah Karim Alhusainy, His Highness Aga Khan fourth, the contemporary Imam of community around the globe. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1936 and succeeded sir Sultan Muhammad Shah (Aga Khan 3rd) at the age of 20. He proved himself the only leader of Islamic world in general and the Ismaili community in particular to lead them both in good and crucial times. He has devoted his life for the walfare of human beings without and consideration of race, culture, religion and ideology thus patronizing diversity, pluralism,brotherhood and virtue-the theme of Islam. Besides his philonthrapic work for humanity, he served Islamic community such a way hat has made the community one of the most organized and prosperous communities across the world. Ismailies used to celebrate this unique event to show their adherence with a personality which is not only working for humnity but also has a direct link with Hazrat Ali, the very first Imam of Shiat faith. Events were organized at Jamat Khanas, community halls to mark the day with religious zeal. Speakers in their speechs threw light on the work of Aga Khan in all wakes of life. Special processions were arranged following Majalisis, the indoor programs to express its love and loyalty to their Imam and celebrate event openly.

Mountain lighting and illumination work on Jamat Khanas and houses turned valleys like Hunza into twinkling garden.





Steps urged to promote Wakhi language

VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 14: Pakistan's noted language expert Dr Tariq Rehman on Friday endorsed the aspiration of Pamiri people for protection and promotion of their 3,000-year-old Wakhi language and culture. He said a language endowed prestige and power on a particular community that uses it for everyday communication. Dr Rehman was speaking as chief guest at a seminar on the third day of Wakhi cultural festival at Folk Heritage Museum here on Friday."Your people are giving a call for the right to educate children in your own mother tongue, so that it is protected from becoming obsolete, and it is a cause we support."The linguistic expert recalled two warnings issued by Unesco about the danger confronting indigenous cultures and languages. It had said out of the 6,000 languages spoken the world, 2,500 were about to disappear or have already ceased to exist. According to Unesco, about 3,000 languages irrevocably lose their carriers every year. Smaller community languages face danger from globalisation which wants to impose a monolithic world culture, destroying pluralism. "This in turn provokes reaction of the kind that we find reflected in terrorism," said the linguistic expert. He suggested a three tier education scheme for education in mother tongue with a bridge opening to a more appealing language such as Urdu and rounding off with education in English. But the system must be applied uniformly throughout the country including in the elite schools.A number of Gojali scholars including Neelam Nigar, Amanullah Mushfiq, Nazir Ahmad Bulbul, Fazal Amin Beg, Adil Beg and Shambi Khan also spoke. They expressed the fear that in Pakistan their Wakhi vernacular faced the danger of extinction unless it received proper attention on the pattern of its conservation and preservation initiated in Xinjiang, China. There, they said, the Wakhi language was being used extensively through comprehensive research initiatives.Fazal Amin Beg said the Wakhi language belonged to the Iranian group of languages, assimilating a number of Persian and Arabic words, but recently it had been overwhelmed by the impinge of technology. He complimented women of letters who had contributed to the richness of the language by writing poetry and ghazals. Adil Beg paid tributes to industrious scholar Haqiqat Ali who was the first to publish the system of Wakhi language characters.Through a consensus, the participants asked every Gojali to speak their own language as well as disseminate it to a wider audience through the media.A Wakhi mushaira was also held on the occasion in which Nazir Ahmad Bulbul, Asmatullah Mushfiq, Hyder Murad, Faiz Rahim, Shambi Khan, Fazal Amin Baig, Abdullah Bai and Rehbar Khan took part. Nazir Ahmad Bulbul presided over the session,Weekly Baang reports.




Technocrat seat for Hunza not enough
VOH Watch
GILGIT, Dec. 14: Chief Organizer of Progressive Youth Front and member of the Hunza Action Committee Baba Jan has said the allocation of one technocrat seat for Hunza was not enough to end the 35 years long deprivation and injustices with the people of the valley. He said the demand of the people of Hunza was allocation of a regular seat in the legislative assembly, adding his party would continue struggle for the rights of the area.Talking to this correspondent, Baba Jan said for the last over 35 years the people of the valley have been meted out step-motherly treatment. He said by not fulfilling the long-standing demand of the people of the valley about one seat, the government ahs done yet another injustice with the people. He said the forthcoming seat was the product of rigging and by allocating it to the area the PPP was trying to rub salt into our wounds.He warned that if the government tried to ignore the demand of the area for additional seat, its results would be disastrous.Baang Weekly




Wakhi Festival concludes at Lok Virsa

VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, December 13: The five-day Wakhi Cultural Festival, organised by Lok Virsa in collaboration with Gojal Educational & Cultural Association (GECA), has concluded with a prestigious ceremony marked by traditional cultural ensembles of music and dance. The slogan of the festival was ‘Harnessing Culture for Peace & Harmony’ and the organisers succeeded in bringing the message of peace to the entire Pakistani nation through the vibrant depiction of the Wakhi heritage with performances and demonstration of skills by the Wakhi artisans and artists, who came from the far-flung valley of upper Hunza and Gojal.Murtaza Solangi, Director General, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony, who eulogised the efforts of the organisers Lok Virsa and GECA for their combined efforts for promotion of Wakhi culture and language. Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid appreciated the efforts of the participating master artisans, folk artists and musicians from Wakhi community on the successful completion of the festival. He said that the festival afforded an excellent opportunity to the residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad to witness at the capital city the first time in the history of Pakistan live presentations and display of the rich of cultural traditions, lifestyles, musical heritage, traditional cuisine and the rituals connected to various festivities and celebrations of the Wakhi community living in Gilgit-Baltistan region.On behalf of Lok Virsa, he assured the participants that Lok Virsa will continue to patronise and support all regional and local cultural institutions in Pakistan for documentation and preservation of their indigenous folk culture and traditions. He also acknowledged the generous contribution made by the partners, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented by Royal Norwegian Embassy for holding this unique cultural activity of its kind at Islamabad. Also appreciating the role of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Khalid Javaid said that it is a source of great satisfaction for the cultural organisations like Lok Virsa that state media institutions like PBS are keen to help out in projecting cultural heritage of Pakistan. He said that Lok Virsa recognises the contribution of PBC in documenting and promoting folk musical heritage of Pakistan through its provincial and regional radio stations. He expressed hope that Both Lok Virsa and PBC can join hand together to make some more concerted efforts in this direction, he added.GECA Chairman Farman Ali Baig thanked Lok Virsa and the Norwegian partners in giving an opportunity to the Wakhi people to showcase their rich culture, traditions, folklore and musical heritage in the capital city through Wakhi Cultural Festival.The ceremony concluded with life cultural performances by a select number of Wakhi folk singers and musicians as well as poetry recitation by the Wakhi poets and writers. Certificates and shields were presented to the participants at the end of the ceremony. Over 60 participants including master artisans, folk artists and musicians attended the festival.
The 5-day Wakhi festival
remained a centre of attraction for the visitors from the twin city metropolis. Visitors enjoyed the elderly people and notables of Gojal tribe dancing to the tunes of traditional music wearing their cultural white cap and long woollen coat embroidered with flowers called ‘Chugha.’ The white cap and ‘Chugha’ clad elders remained the centre of attention.Apart from poetry recitation session, melodious songs, skits and drama staged by local Wakhi artists were also presented during the festival and a drama depicting the various phases of historical development of Wakhi people received warm appreciation. Stalls showcasing the traditional dress, cuisines and artwork of Wakhi Pamiri people remained the centre of attention of visitors. Local cuisines such as Bat, Molida, Gral, Shulbut and Moch offered a unique traditional taste to the visitors. The warmth of the food stalls and the colourful cultural presentations of the festival provided a good warm environment in the chilly weather of the twin cities.The News




Decision regarding appointment of governor based on interest of region; elected members to work day and night for the walfare of masses: Kaira
VoH Monitor
GILGIT, Dec.12:
Qamar Zaman Kaira, federal minister
for broadcasting and acting governor of Gilgit-Baltistan has said that decision on appointment of governor will be purely based on interest of region. He was talking to regional media persons. He said that Pakistan Peoples Party is committed to fulfil its promises made with the people. He said that it is now duty of the elected leadership to serve the people to come to their expectations. He said the country is facing law and order problem disclosing that there is chance of terrorist activities by evil forces to destablize the country.He appealed the religious scholars and leaders to play their role to ensure peace in the region.




Plunderers of Sost Dry Port destined to be trialed and brought to justice; looted money will be taken back: Wazir Baig
VoH Report
GILGIT, Dec.11: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) Wazir Baig who has been recently elected for Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Council has said that marauders are destied to trial. Talking to a press conference at Gilgit press club, he said that he will make efforts to take back the looted amount by certain elements adding culprits will be brought to justice.
He said that the time has come to bring the responsible under the law saying he was committed to get back the property of masses. He said that the demand of additional seat will be his firts priority and the issue of head quarter will be resolved through consultation with the notables and representitives of Nagar region. " The work on Khizarabad bridge and proper compensation to affecties of Karakorum High Way will be restarted soon," he added.





EXCLUSION OF PROFESSOR SALEEM FROM THE TECHNOCRAT SEAT WAS A CONSPIRACY :BALTI COMMUNITY IN KARACHI REACTS
VoH Monitor
KARACHI, Dec. 11: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has hoodwinked people of Baltistan through excluding able leadership like professor Saleem. These views were expressed by the Balti Community while talking to survey of a regional daily. The participants among Kazim Gamgwi,Ghulam Mehdi, Farman Ali, Ejaz, Fida Hussain and others claimed that the masses of Baltistan are repenting to supporting Peoples party which has tried to marginalise the people through excluding leaders like Saleem and demanded resignation of regional party positions. Daily K2 Urdu)






Mehdi Shah elected Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister
VoH Watch dog
GILGIT, December 11 : Syed Mehdi Shah has been elected unopposed the first Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan in session of the regional assembly. Mehdi Shah is also regional president of Pakistan People’s Party. Wazir Baig of PPP has been elect speaker and Jameel Ahmed deputy speaker of the assembly. Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Qamar Zaman Kaira will administer oath to the elected chief minister.Geo TV

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Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan

Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan
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Mission Statement & Weekly VoH Publishing team


VoH
Voice of Voiceless

The blog aims to disseminate the accurate regional information without consideration of race, color, ethnicity, religion and ideology to the valuable readers across the globe. We promise to abide with the moral and professional ethics of citizen journalism through this medium of communication. The voiceless masses of this one of the most beautiful places on earth, situated in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan experience hard times due to continuous natural and man made disasters which have left them at surviving stage. Shortly speaking, in a short span of time, Hunza valley has embraces a steady socio-economic and ecological development making it self an authentic book to read about or take a model for rest of far flung valleys bordering Chines Sinkiang province in the extreme north of the country. The haphazard material development in this comparatively small area has also served to create various socio-economic and ethical problems which ultimately served to shake the fabrics of very roots and foundations of culture and civility among dwellers. On geo-political front, analysts find a very little say of a common man in the major decisions related to regional socio-economic development, violation of meritocracy by mafias in political parties, pressure groups which safe guard their own interests, a unbridled bureaucracy, corrupt regimes that patronizing nepotism or favoritism and who wield powers in Gilgit, the main hub and capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. Rapid increase in expenditures ranging from general commodity price hikes to transportation has left no option or time for people to think on other issues.
The so called Economic-Recession, unequal distribution of wealth, concentration of opportunities towards certain beings, lack of social responsiveness and transparency in government sector and no check and balance on private sector has brought its ugly implication in terms of high unemployment, depression among the youngsters, anxiety and hatred towards system of governance.
We vow to bring fore the issues of common man at grass root level, strive to highlight irregularities in government sector and flaws in public policy and finance in a democratic way. We shall continue to give our opinion on issues of importance and determine to prove a viable platform to have a positive role for public welfare, inter-communal harmony, integrity and social justice.
Amid such a situation when even the survival of country is on stake and is defamed due to continual terrorist incidents throughout the our county, we may pray for a peaceful and prosperous future of the nation. May Lord save the peaceful Gilgit-Baltistan region from the evil designs of devils in human form.

The blog has been developed and upgrading by the efforts of the following dedicated volunteers.


Board of Editors
Editor: Shamsuddin Muhammad
Email:jaashams@gmail.com


Co-editor: Inam Karim
Email: inamkarim02@gmail.com


Reporting Team
Karachi: Sartaj Karim
Email: sartaj_compaq@hotmail.com



Hunza: Naeem Hamoon
Email: naeemhmn@hotmail.com


Gilgit: Aslam Shah

Email: hunzaishah@gmail.com


Islamabad: Ikramullah Baig
Email: hunza_havenonearth@yahoo.com

Voice of the voiceless!

The blog is a venture with exclusive news updates, unbiased analysis and opinion on historical, cultural, ecological, socio-economic, geopolitical and administrative issues and events occurring in country in general and the region particular. It would serve as a portfolio of credible information retained first hand from own and secondary reliable electronic and print media sources and aspire to become a powerful voice for a common man. We are committed to adhere with the professional ethics of citizen journalism, a new trend to shackle the chains of excessive curb over dissemination of reality either for any cause in the name of so-called sensor, with maximum possible accuracy and least deviation while delivering information to show the real side of picture of events so that our valuable readers will have an alternative portal to know what developments are going on various levels, particularly backward areas like that of Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Azad Jamu and Kahsmir, Tribal areas etc., across the country. One can easily discern a great social change in terms of attitudes, perceptions both in individual and society; values and reaction to the variables in daily life patterns among the dwellers of the comparatively backwards areas like Gilgit-Baltistan, a deprived region of its fundamental rights for more than six decades of its liberation from colonial yolk. In a quest to voice over issues of vital importance, keeping closer to circle of concern, Hunza, a name famous for its beauty and rich cultural heritage has been selected to represent as a case to further the cause and issues of the rest of the region. Virtually, the region especially Hunza-Nagar retained a rapid development with a short span of time after remaining isolated for centuries to out side world. The blog also aims focus largely to identify core areas from on bottom or grass root level to the top. Keeping due consideration of inter-religious harmony, tolerance, respecting pluralism, diversity, mutual respect, democracy, equal opportunity and other aspects of human rights and professional values of journalism, the blog will serve as a binding force and medium of voice of the voiceless people of the area with reference to Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The idea of creation of this blog came into my mind during a visit after spending few years of career at Karachi, capital of Southern province to the region. While traveling from south pole of the country to north, I experienced many new changes nearly in all aspects of life explicit in urban areas and implicit in rural belts: people have opted to modern technology, availed faster means of communication; task centered behavior, selfishness, following short-cuts, chase of wealth and more opportunities in their career and many more that made their lives much more easier but crazier than before. Nevertheless, the scene suddenly turned bit dim when I entered the region of Gilgit-Baltistan. I could not believe my eyes that this was the Gilgit I saw four years ago. Many things, except the faces were utterly unchanged formats primitive outlook. The Chinese bridge that linked Danyore and Gilgit and a main source of transportation was no more. Few people told me that few journalists have lost their lives in lethal road accident due to lack of arrangements on part of concerned authority to avoid the incident. Karakorum High Way (KKH), one of the highest truck able route and so-called eighth wonder in the world is under construction and many places portray nothing but a passage through a rough stony pasture. It took nearly twenty four hours from Rawalpindi to reach after an exhaustive journey to Hunza, my home town, compared to nineteen hours in past. The scenario seemed worse in Hunza, my home town which remained unchanged for last four years except a drastic decline in standard of living of more than fifty percent of the population. One may think that people have replaced muddy homes with cement ones but that are not the real yardstick of measurement of both mental and material development. Infrastructure, fixtures, telecommunication systems were largely depreciated to their estimated life coupled with inappropriate number of personnel required in educational, administrative and health institutions. The so-called economic meltdown that started from American giant Leman soon took the world into its tyrant claws, shaking many stable economies of the world including the rural areas of developing states- a big example of negligence and subjugation by the rulers of respective countries where people live not above the level of animals. Apart from the allegations on policy makers of industrialized nations having economic interest only, the poor, irrational, incompetent, self-centered and corrupt leadership in Pakistan like other third world countries where immature economies spends it larger portion of budget expenditure on defense could not resist the negative consequences of economic crisis in terms of high rate of unemployment, recession, right or down sizing, price hikes, violation of consumer rights and so on. Hunza-Nagar, like other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan was no exception. The smiling faces that greeted us once warmly few years ago turned unhappy for the crisis brought its ugly implication on the daily life pattern of an individual thus sucking down the unique attributes of population: courtesy, generosity and hospitality. Having a so-called high rate of literacy in the country unfortunately, the region is facing many problems ranging from health to drinking water and energy sector. To many, it was because of lack of geo-political awareness and excessive tendency towards NGO culture where people little bother to beg their rights from the states besides emphasis on duties. Historical chronicles vindicate that the region remained in isolation for many centuries due to a specific location and lack of access to out side world. Many dynasties ruled the area that hardly accepted change in a traditionally sophisticated feudal based society. The wheel of transition continued to move and finally the area got librated through a mutiny with the help of indigenous population from the clutches of Dogra subjugation. Later, the area was affiliated with Pakistan vide a secret treaty called Karachi Treatise as defacto part, unconditionally. Gilgit-Baltistan region got on real terms an impetus to grow from zero level with the visit of three icons of development: Aga Khan, President Ayub Khan and Z.A.Bhutto- a historic event of its nature with long standing implications on live of the people of the region.The area could hardly observed any impulse for more than half dozen years of affiliation with Pakistan when Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan (3rd) first time introduced Diamond Jubilee Schools network during mid fifties in the region. A real phase of development gain impetus when Shah Karim Alhusaini, Aga Khan (fourth) stepped in the region, a population with miserable conditions in 1960. He initiated many new projects in different aspect of life, strengthening the existing educational network under the umbrella of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for the betterment and uplift standard of living of masses lived under poverty line. Aga Khan Development Network in collaboration with donor agencies, with a view to bring social change from grass roots level, initiated rural support programme and other services for less-privileged societies in the region. In simple words, initial projects were stretched to new areas under AKDN umbrella ranging from self-entrepreneurship to planning and building services. These development programmes served a catalyst for a common man who, earlier was confine to a certain limit where facilities and perks were confined to a specific creed, definitely a big change in society led to process of decline of so-called nobility. By, 1974, Z.A.Bhutto, chief of Pakistan Peoples Party and his cabinet undertook a disintegrated country following the fall of Dhaka, albeit eliminating princely status of numerous states gave them democratic structures, initiated socio-economic, political and administrative reforms in civil services cadres under 1973 constitution of Pakistan. These reforms opened a path for further reforms in tribal and affiliated princely states, mostly in mountain regions. Elders assert, by 1976, when Bhutto abolished the princely status of the units and replaced the princely flag with that of the country declared region formally its de-fecto part. The new development allowed for the first time a limited right of franchise and representation in a parallel council governed from capital. He in collaboration with international donor agencies like UNICEF and World Food Programme helped ensure provision of basic necessities like food to indigenous population still in poor conditions. He gave word to poor and enables to build his destiny. The facility fell a prey of Zia-ul-Haq who abolished the programme to benefit his favorite breed. He altered such programmes to facilitate Mujahideen busy fighting Afghan war against Soviet invasion on behalf of American assistance. By, 1988, before the withdrawal of USSR, Zia regime played a dirty game: as an integral strategy to get parallel success, he supported a breed of militants to eliminate all those against his faith in Gilgit-Baltistan. Unfortunately, the indigenous people could not understand his nefarious designs under the veil of religion that had to sustain his regime using divide and rule tactic and nothing to do with public welfare fell a prey of communal discord. Thousands of innocent people were brutally killed without a reason from both sides and this in turn sowed the seeds of sectarianism thus introducing a Kalashnikov culture in this region. On country’s political front, frequent interventions of military in politics in the wake of undemocratic moves of leadership, double standard attitude of bureaucracy and excessive influence of establishment forces harmed political evolution during last sixty two years of country's history. A finest dictatorship is considered worse than a worse democracy for it largely overlook the opinion of masses. The undemocratic regimes since 1952 onwards in general and during dictators’ regimes left people with no option but to support immature, corrupt and unable leadership confined to their self interests coupled with narrow vision. On global front, with the withdrawal of USSR from Afghanistan, American administration started to shift its strategy of dependency and support for Pakistan especially that to check movement and expansion of communist philosophy, an anxiety among the then US policy planners. Political front once again passed through a new change in 1999 when military took over in October 1999. Numerous Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), both national and international rapport delivered remarkable work since 1990s to 2004 in many sectors like education, health, cultural preservation, design and building.

History repeated itself, but in a new form under different circumstances after cold war, when terrorists attacked twin towers of World Trade Centre, an icon of prestige and glory of America killing thousands of innocent people as a response to US policies inviting a fresh hostility between US and Islamist groups or in other words initiated an open conflict between two countering forces. To some, hidden forces worked behind the incident: Muslims thought it was a Judaist elements while to Europe and US a strike of Islamist elements; even the then Bush administration alleged Islamist groups behind this nefarious act to initiate an open armed struggle to defy its policies and interests. The September 11 incident served a cause to create sufferings for the Muslim communities residing in America and Europe. Being a sponsoring source of Jihadist elements, Pakistan was in real trouble as it was asked either ally the US or ready to go into stone age. Consequently, Pervez Musharraf took U-turn in state policy against billions of dollars as assistance. Once again, US dependency on Pakistan after Afghan war, in an endless war against an invisible enemy in terms of Osama started, leading farmer to think to gain control over natural resources in Afghanistan and Central Asian states. As a state, Pakistan endured many hardships, mostly from inside elements, Majority of our political leadership, for instance is largely nurtured under the aegis of military establishments and always ready to achieve their own interest lest it comes to compromise on national matters, evident from the successive overthrowing of representative regimes. They could not deliver any remarkable to uplift the standard of living of a common man except false promises. It was the Musharraf regime which can be given credit for many reasons: allowed a national government to complete its five year tenure, introduced local government systems for dicentralization of power though a move to by pass the then political and administrative forces like his predecessors military dictators to bolster one man show. Apart from few of blunders in terms of killing of Akbar Bugti, subjugation of judiciary, appointment of army on service and retired personnel in institutions offering higher education, other key positions in major public organiztions and using force as a decisive force instead of dialogue his regime can be recalled for many things during last eight years. He was the first who put hand on non-state actors, brought changes in status of deprived regions like Gilgit-Baltistan bringing reforms and took initiatives to improve education and health facilities. He gave us an International University, increased woman representation, empowered Northern Light Infantry, established N.A scouts and notified Hunza-Nagar district and many more. Yet, at the same time on mass level, despite many accomplishments, it failed to address the real issues of poor. Giant fishes got most and poor further got depressed as the regime greatly revolved around the interests of Chaurdhries and lords. December 2007, shall be remembered a black day when Benazir Bhutto, a female leader of international repute was assassinated at the same place where one of the most famous Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan as killed. Country fell into chaos and observed an extreme internal and internal threat to her existence second time after 1971. Good heaven, the situation soon normalized. With the dawn of democracy, based on Benazir Bhutto's sacrifice has brought a hope of change of image of the country in global economy. PPP led contemporary government has given a new Self Governance Reforms Package 2009 ahead of poles to empower the assembly to legislate on various subjects not allowed in past and choose their own Chief Minister unanimously with the consent of Prime Minister, the head of set up-a good initiative after Z.A Bhutto's compassions for the region. The package has opened a door for more autonomy resembles to that of Azad Kashmir. Though, there are many flaws in the package yet, it will serve to reduce feeling of deprivation among the masses.

There is another side of the picture that the poor performance in many of the departments in government sector during last two years has raised many questions in our mind regarding its capability to cope the challenges that the country faces internally and externally. Public welfare, security from internal and external aggressions and provision of basic necessities to the citizens is the fundamental responsibilities of modern states. Yet, more focus on external threats under security syndrome has left the country nothing but to expend on defense-thus neglecting other sectors like education, strategic personnel planning, health, trade and industry and exploitation of natural resources to strengthen our economy. As for as the private sector especially the NGOs are concerned, the are now confine to reporting to get funds, roam and measure the length of roads in their luxury vehicles. Now it depends on flow of events that will decide the future course of history.





Shamsuddin Muhammad,

Author and Editor,

VoH



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About Me

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Hyderabad,, IslamicRepublic of Pakistan, Pakistan
I am social person with a tendency towards learning knowledge that will balance the material world and the hereafter, a legacy obtained from the family. I earned my MA (General History with specialization in Modern History) and M.A.S (Master of Administrative siences with speciliazation in HRM) both from University of Karachi in 2005 and 2007 respectively, am fond of social work and public welfare. The blog focuses on social change caused by socio- economic and geo-political impulse in the country in general and the region particular.

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