Between two fires-Hundreds of students of Uswa Public School in a fix in the Capital
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, March 02: According to a regional media sources,about 150 students of Uswa Public School Skardu, are in a fix in Islamabad, the country's capital.
According to the details, about 150 students were taken to Islamabad on pretext of better tuition facilities against huge amounts by the school and college administration.
Yet, the journey proved a wild goose chase as neither there was proper qualified teaching faculty nor food and accommodation facilities. It was latte disclosed to the students that they will have to rely on the teachers accompanied them from Skardu. Students have alleged the school and college administration for taking huge amounts against the fake promises. The report further says that about 4000 rupee have been charge with a promise to provide quality tuition and boarding facilities which have turned distant dream for those fell victim. The most of students belong to middle class families who have been stuck in confusion how to get return. Urdu Daily, K2.





Special Health package reaches Hunza; health officials working busy in medical relief operations
VoH Report
HUNZA, Karimabad, March 2: The special health package including medicines and other essentials reached Civil Hospital, Karimabad, Hunza on Monday evening. Under the directives of Health department, Doctor Wazir Muhammad, Director Health Gilgit himself brought influx of medicines to central Hunza which are being supplied to ensure health facilities in the calamity hit areas like Shishkat and Gulmit villages of Upper Hunza. According to the officials, about twenty local volunteers accompanied by paramedical staff are busy in relief operations. Doctor Sher Afzal, DHO Diamer has also provided sufficient medicines for the health relief. Doctor Aslam Khan,medical officer, civil hospital Karimabad Hunza said that about 80% of the medical including medical and dental doctors and paramedical staff are busy in relief operation in the calamity hit areas.
"Doctor Khuwaja Khan, medical officer, Civil hospital, Karimabad Hunza is already on visit to ensure proper medical facilities to the people of Upper Hunza, Gojal," he added.
According to official sources, newly appointed Lady Medical officer Doctor Salsabeel is expected to join her duties at Civil hospital, Gulmit on March 03,Wednesday on wards.







Hunza-Nagar receive heavy rainfall; land sliding at some places
VoH Report
HUNZA,Nagar, March.01: Hunza and Nagar along with other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan received heavy rain fall on early Monday night. The drizzling started at 4:00 A.M that later turned into heavy rain pour. All areas in Gilgit-Baltistan region are under sever cold wave for last six weeks.According to meteorological department, about .041 ml rain fall has been recorded. Some analysts says this is because of climate change that resulted into more cold in winter and hotter in summer than few years ago. The alluvial valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan are portraying a picture of mid winter as the snow fall continued on mountains and high altitude. There are reports of land sliding at some places of the region.





Increased number of dog bite casses in Gilgit city turns a nightmare for pedestrains
SRT Report

GILGIT, March.01: The dogs chasing and bites during the night have become a routine of the every next day in the Gilgit city. According to last six days reports, more than three children have been affected by bites of dogs in Zulfiqarabad and Soni Kot area limits. The increasing number of dogs roaming in the night have created chaos among pedistrains. On the other hand, there are reservations regarding the first hand in case of such cases as rabies vaccine exists in little amount. According to physicians, rebies pataints are subjected to give viccinated within 48 hours of the bite.
Public circles have demanded of Municipal authorities to control the rapid increase in number of dogs before it turns a nightmare.

Source:www.srtimes.blogspot.com







Protest against neglegance and arrest of youth
VoH Report
GILGIT, HUNZA, Feb.28: A large number of youth, senior ciitzens and civil society members from Upper Hunza came out to streets in Aliabad and Gulmit Hunza to protest against the use of state force against peaceful protest and negligence of government towards the difficulties face by the people of Ayeenabad, Shishkat,Gulmit and outskirts following water blockade. According to details, on appeal of Save Gojal Coordination Committee, people assembled at Aliabad and Gilgit to record protest against the arrest of three youth said the students of Karakorum International University. The both were arrested on protest following the refusal of Chief Secretary to meet the delegation. Protestors at both places chanted slogans against Chief and home secretary. According to more details, a delegation from Upper Hunza wanted to meet home secretary Usman Yunus who refused to do so. Later police baton charged those protested against the negative behavior and detained youth in their custody. Similarly, protestors at Gulmit who marched on Karakorum High Way demanded removal of Chief and Home secretary Gilgit-Baltistan. They prestors and slammed the falso claims of governemnt of porviding wheat as relief package to people of Gojal, Upper Hunza







Worry on the Chilas tragedy; reservations of affectees to be adressed, massacre result of voilent agitation following peaceful protest: Mehdi Shah
VoH Report
CHILAS, Feb. 27: Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan has said that action will be taken against those involved in the Chilas firing tragedy. Security forces had allegedly opened fire on protesters last week killing at least and numerous injured. He was talking to media persons during his visit to Chillas, the Diamer district headquarter to condole to the respective families. He said that judicial action will be taken against those involved in the incident without any favor. He said that victims of the incident have been compensated and administration was directed to be vigilant to any situation to ensure peace in the region. " The work on construction of dam will be started after payment of compensation to win the hearts of all affectees," he added.

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Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on Friday

Majority of economists use per capita income as an indication of rate of development in a specific country.They determine it dividing national income by the total population of the that particular country. Economically speaking,especially that of capitalist paradigm, the per capita income means that every person living in that country would get an equal amount of wealth from the national income for that year. In real world, this economic principle is nothing but a Utopia. The phenomenon, Instead of indicator of development of masses rather it is of that country's capitalists and industrialists only. There are other factors, like inflation, devaluation of money, foreign remittances, purchasing power and the hidden levels of poverty lines plays a vital role in calculation of per capita income. Most of economic laws and theories rely on Cetris Peribus-the other factors should remain constant. How is it possible when to have uniformity in other factors that the laws restrict to change. Changes in Choices, purchasing power, individual incomes, expenditures and other factors least ready to accept restriction against these laws. Lets take an eye bird's view of country's figures on national income and the determination of P.C.I. The statistics shows country's economy expended in fiscal year 2009 by about $195 billion, compared with $170.5 billion in 2008 while $143.91 billion in 2007. And the per capita income determined for the last fiscal year was more than $1000 dollars. If these figures were taken as a fact than the 'Gini co-eficient crosses 0.41 which indirectly show unequal distribution of wealth as the Gini co-eficient should not exceed .1 in such circumstances. Here, the statistics shown by government on so called growth of the phenomenon of CPI does not imply for the subsequent increase in purchasing power of common man. When talking about national income and distribution to calculate Phenomenon of P.C.I become allusion as the more than seventy percent of total country's wealth goes into the pockets about two dozen elite industrialists, feudalistic and capitalists families.Interestingly, one out of three and those sitting in houses are directly or indirectly industrialists who leave no room that may benefit the poor. While, the desperate masses who supported their representatives to perceive good days turned dark. Instead of legislature on important subjects, it has been custom of political representations in the house to spend time on debates of worthless issues.
The highest rate of population, on the other hand has outmanured family planning schemes developed without keeping in view the strong influence of indiginous cultural and so called reliegious coherance especially that in the tribal regions of Koh Safaid, interior Sindh, Southern Punjab and the Tribal regions of N.W.F.P. As a result, no concrete results are coming out of family planning projects-thus failed gain objectivity to control the populaion increase. Being one of the country with highest birth rate, Pakistan may face even critical times in terms of rise in number below poverty line, unemployment,low standard of living, money saving capabilty and gradual reduction in perchasing power of each family. When talk about the real situation in Gilgit-Baltistan, here the concept of Per Capita Income is an alusion for niether country gets its due share from NFC award. Secondly, being a desputed part for more than sixty two years, determination of per capita income become a trailer to show better performance of economy. Due to lack of proper planning, new breed of educated class coming out of universities are looking for jobs, desparately. While those in service especially perfoming their duties honestly facing troubles to meet both ends due to highest rate of inflation. Down sizing of organizations have also created feeling of job insecurity among employees leading to mental stress. Government authorities should plan a mechanism to ensure control on rising unemployment and opportunity to every individual based on merit. The fake statistics shown by every government every year will bring nothing but more feeling of deprivity.







Editor

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Tour de Pakistan second leg starts from Rawalpindi
VoH Monitor
RAWALPINDI,March 02: The cyclists kicked off the second leg of 51st Tour de Pakistan by leaving for Gujrat from Rawalpindi, Geo News reported Tuesday. The cyclists will traverse 153 kilometers in the second phase.The participants vying for huge award money started the second phase from Ayub Park of Rawalpindi.Peshawar-to-Karachi Tour de Pakistan participants crossed 165 kilometers in the first leg of their race from Peshawar to Rawalpindi. Sui Southern’s Asif Junior excelled in the first phase followed by Imtiaz Hasan of Afghanistan. Wapda’s Zahid was on the third, Geo News reports.






In Pakistan we are fighting for our lives: Zardari
VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, March 01: When I was elected president more than a year ago, Pakistan was in a grave condition, strained by terrorism and a ravaged economy. Countering the effects of a decade of dictatorship requires bold actions, some of which are unpopular. I am working with parliament to run a country, not a political campaign. The goal of our democratic government is to implement policies that will dramatically improve the lives of Pakistanis. In time, good policies will become good politics.
Our economic crisis demanded an unprecedented response. On taxes, education, agriculture and energy, we have shown that we must adapt, reform and become self-sufficient. Terrorists do not want Pakistan to succeed. They want to distract us from preparing for a stable and prosperous future. But militants underestimate us. Just as our people refuse to be terrorised, our government refuses to be derailed from its course of fiscal responsibility, social accountability and financial transparency.
The war against terrorism has cost Pakistan not just in lives but also in economic terms, freezing international investment and diverting priorities from social and other sectors. Despite constant challenges on multiple fronts, we took the political hits and stuck with reform. Pakistan even met IMF criteria last month to receive the "fourth tranche", or £0.79bn, of its loan funding – no easy feat during a global recession. Corrupt governments don't reach this level of IMF partnership.
The World Bank, the European Union and the US have all applauded our accomplishments. This praise may be little reported, but it's far more important than the chimera of polls.The Nation





Government plans huge cut in subsidies
VoH Watch
ISLAMABAD, March 01:The federal government is planning a major cut in subsidies in the next fiscal year 2010-11, official sources have said. According to official sources, the overall volume of subsidies has been estimated to decrease from Rs 199 billion in the ongoing fiscal year 2009-10 to Rs 104 billion rupees in next the fiscal year 2010-11, projecting an overall decrease of Rs 95 billion. “The cut in power sector subsidies is expected to be from Rs 147 billion in the ongoing fiscal year 2009-10 to Rs 74 billion in 2010-11, under the Budget Strategy Paper-1,” the sources said. The medium-term subsidy policy reveals that the subsidy on fuel adjustment has been eliminated from July 1, 2009, while the power tariff adjustment subsidy will be eliminated from August 2010. Policy’s aim: The new policy also aims at creating room for small energy-related subsidies in 2010-11. Interest payments on Power Holding Company (Pvt) Limited, a company formed to resolve the circular debt issue, will be made part of the power and fuel subsidies in the next fiscal year, the sources said. Subsidies to the industrial sector will be discouraged under the new policy, as will the policy of artificial competitiveness and protectionism. The power and fuel subsidies to the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and oil refineries, which were set at Rs 82 billion in the ongoing fiscal year, have been raised to Rs 147 billion due to political pressure, the sources added. They said there were plans to reduce this subsidy to Rs 74 billion in 2010-11.
“The government has earmarked Rs 30 billion for sugar, wheat
and cotton, import-related subsidies, but it plans to limit the subsidy level to just Rs 15 billion in fiscal year 2010-11. Such subsidies on commodity imports like sugar, fertilizer and wheat are targeted at bridging the gap between market demand and local production. Importers of such commodities are being subsidised to keep the market prices low for consumers,” the sources said, adding that the subsidy on local produce such as fertilisers, sugar and wheat were mainly used to purchase the commodities from producers at a higher rate, and they were sold at subsidised rates in the market.
Regarding the subsidies providing relief to the public on essential food items through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), the government has decided to maintain the existing level of subsidy at Rs 4 billion for the next fiscal year as well. The government is planning to reduce the level of subsidy on export of commodities produced in the country to Rs 2 billion in 2010-11 as against Rs 3 billion being given as subsidies in the ongoing fiscal year.However, the subsidies for research and development are set to increase from Rs 1 billion in 2009-10 to Rs 5 billion in 2010-11. These subsidies are provided to the export sector in order to enhance economic competitiveness of their export products such as textile and motorcycles exports. Agriculture subsidies, mainly for fertilisers and the Benazir Tractor Scheme, which stand at Rs 12 billion rupees in 2009-10, are to be reduced to Rs 2 billion in the next fiscal year. The subsidy for crop loan insurance scheme is to be maintained at Rs 2 billion in the ongoing fiscal year as well as in the next fiscal year, Dail Times reported.





Dialogue the only way forward: Salman Bashir

VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 27: Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Friday said India and Pakistan should begin the composite dialogue only if it is based on equality, sovereignty and mutual respect. Speaking to journalists, Bashir said Pakistan was not desperate for talks contrary to the impression in India but that this was the only principled way forward. Salman Bashir crossed over from the Wagah border Friday afternoon following talks with his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao and Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna in New Delhi.Bashir refused to comment on whether there was any external pressure to hold talks with India and said that no date for the next round of talks had been decided.He maintained that the talks were only of an exploratory nature and that issues of Kashmir, Sir Creek, Water, Siachen and accidental border crossing were also discussed. Courtesy Dawn





PM lauds services of institutions caring for ailing children
VoH Monitoring desk
KARACHI, Feb 26 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the philanthropists and institutions caring for the children suffering from fatal illness or a handicap are doing a great service to the cause of humanity.He was talking to the representatives of the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation who called on the Prime Minister along with the two cancer afflicted children at Governor House here on Friday.The Prime Minister said the children irrespective of their physical, mental or financial conditions, have to be taken care of and it is the responsibility of the entire society to contribute in this regard. He said that the government would continue to support organisations both in public and private sectors which are involved in lessening the suffering of the needy children. The poor and destitute children are also part of our children’s community, who are the future of our country, the Prime Minister added.On this occasion the Prime Minister gave gifts and Rs 300,000 to each of the two children suffering from cancer. It was informed by President “Make-A Wish” Foundation Ishtiaq Baig, that Master Deedar Ali, aged 11 years, Ali Gulbano, aged 12 years, both patients of cancer wished to see the Prime Minister as they usually see the Prime Minister on TV. He informed that they wanted to see the Prime Minister before dying as both were in their last stages. Both the children were so happy to see the Prime Minister that they woke up early in the morning. The children met the Prime Minister and said that the Prime Minister was a very soft spoken and caring person.
Earlier, Ishtiaq Baig, President and Dr. Ikhtiar Baig Secretary General of “Make-A-Wish” Foundation briefed the Prime Minister about the background and working of the Foundation.
Ishtiaq Baig informed that the Foundation has so far fulfilled the wishes of 100 children of which 50% have died.He informed that Make-A-Wish is an international organization serving in 37 countries and five continents. It is working in Pakistan for the last three years.





FIR lodged against PPP leaders, workers for anti-judiciary protest
VoH Monitor
LAHORE, Feb.27: A first information report (FIR) was registered against two lawmakers and five leaders as well as 250 other workers of the Pakistan People’s Party for protesting against the judiciary, soon after a meeting between Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership on Monday. The Qila Gujar Singh police station registered a case on the complaint of its station house officer against MPAs Sajida Mir and Faiza Malik, PPP Punjab President Rana Aftab, General Secretary Samiullah, PPP Lahore President Asghar Gujjar, Additional Secretary Fakharuddin Chaudhry and Azizur Rehman Chann. The police told Daily Times they have registered an FIR against the PPP leaders for protesting and burning effigies of the PML-N chief and the chief justice of Pakistan, Dailytimes reports.







Terrorism not the only focus in talks with Pakistan: Chidambaram
VOH Monitor
DELHI, Jan.27: Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram said India has agreed to take up different issues (besides terrorism) with Pakistan during the secretary-level talks scheduled to be held on February 25. Talking to Kashmiri leader Mehbooba Mufti, Chidambaram said the Indian government was also considering giving banking facilities to traders to initiate business across the Line of Control (LoC). Chidambaram said trade across the LoC and confidence building measures regarding Kashmir could also be discussed during the meeting. The nation

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A huge avalanche hits Karimabad and Altit, flog and icy winds engulfed area for half an hour
VoH Report
HUNZA, Karimabad, Feb.24: A huge avalanche sliding from Ultar peak hit Karimabad and Altit village at 9:00 A.M on Wednesday and engulfed area for half an hour. According to the details, suddenly fog and icy wind appeared above Baltit Fort soon cover major portion of Karimabad and Altit. Consequently, the area on both side of Ultar Nalah or Harchi indigenous called received light snow fall. Nevertheless, no loss of property or life has been reported.

According to local myth, breaking of ice from high rise glaciers begets good future and hinder evil forces like poverty and diseases.







Approval of Charter of demand on Diamer Basha Dam our ultimate end: C.M
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 24: Approval of Charter of demand on Diamer Basha Dam was our ultimate end and the efforts would be made to achieve it. These views were expressed by Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah during a meeting with members Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly Mowlana Sarwar Shah, Haji Janbaz Khan, Haji Rehmat Khaliq and Haji Gulbar on Monday in Capital. The delegation make informed chief minister about the prevailent situation, difficulties to people affected by construction of Diamer Basha Dam. They demanded of government to make efforts for the approval of charter of demand regarding construction of Diamer Dam.They also demanded equivalent payment of land consumed and proper rehabilitation of affectees. Mr.Shah assured the delegation saying approval of charter of demand for the construction of dam will be given top most priority.









LBP and PYF organize protest demonstration against killing of protesters in Diamer; registration of FIR against offenders demanded
Press Release
ISLAMABAD, Feb.21: Labour Party Pakistan and Progressive Youth Front Jointly organized a protest demo in front of national press club to voice against the incident took place in Diamer District. According to details, hundreds of students assembled at Islamabad press club to record protest of killings of unarmed protesters on pretext of attack on PWD office on Thursday. Holding play cards, and banners, protesters chanted slogans against the state brutality and killing of victim of Diamar Bhasha Dam of Chillas during a peaceful demonstration Feb 18 by local police.

Speakers like Baba Jan, Chief Organizer, Progressive Youth Front, Hunza Chapter and General secretary, Labour Party Pakistan Nisar Shah Advocate on the occasion during their speech paid due tribute to those all lost their lives in the interest of the region.They condemned government for using state machinery and state brutality against the public.The killing incident resulted following peaceful and unarmed demonstration against Diamar Bhasha Dam at Chillas on February 18 by local police. The demonstrators also chanted slogans: zalmo jawab do khoon ka hisab dow and demanding inquiry into incident . They also demanded registration of FIR against the murderers of victims, press release read. It is pertinent to tell our readers that the killing incident of public resulted into turmoil and sever agitation and ultimately blocked of Karakorum High way for many hours in Chillas limits.







Save Gojal – Hunza Rally held in Karachi, protesters demand fast action on water release VoH Monitor
Karachi, February 21: Hundreds of men, women and children participated in the Save Gojal – Hunza Rally held today in Karachi. The rally started from Lasbella and passed through the M.A. Jinnah Road, converging near Zainab Market, in the vicinity of Karachi Press Club. The protesters walked to the Karachi press club carrying banners, placards. They chanted slogans against the government of GB and the federal government for not taking release of water from the lake very seriously.


A protest demonstration was held in front of the Karachi Press Club, addressed by speakers belonging to different parts of Gilgit – Baltistan. Speaking at the occasion Advocate Noor Khan blasted the government for inaction. He said that the 25, 000 people of Gojal valley have been left alone in the times of disaster. He demanded of the government to shun its negligent attitude and employ more men and machinery at the lake barrier to speed up the excavation work. He also deplored the condition of boats being used by NDMA for transporting the people of Gojal valley. Activists of various political and student organizations also spoke at the occasion. Activists of KNM, BNF, BNSO, KSO, Nagar Students Federation, Ghizar Students Federation, Diamir Youth Movement and other organizations expressed solidarity with the people of Gojal – Hunza. They demanded quick action regarding the release of water. The speakers also demanded of the government to declare Gojal as calamity hit area and extend relief operations to the region accordingly.The speakers also said that the only relief the government has provided to the displaced people of Ayeenabad is that they were declared IDPs. No relief was provided to the IDPs, the speakers said.The rally was successful because it attracted around fifteen hundred people from all parts of Gilgit – Baltistan. Courtesy: Pamirtimes.net





Five police men injured in a bomb blast in Gilgit city
VoH Monitor
GILGIT, Feb. 20: At least five policemen have been reported injured in a bomb blast in Zainulabideen mosque in Gilgit city. Security was kept high alert following the incident to avoid any carnage. According to analysts, the situation was aimed to create communal strife and sectarianism in the region.





Military takes over in Chilas; situation normalizes gradually
VoH Report
CHILAS, Feb. 20: Military has formal taken control of the Chillas city to avoid any mishap. According to media reports, the civil administration has immediately deployed troops in the city following a carnage to control the tense situation. According to home secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Usman Yunus the situation in the city is becoming normal. Chief Minister Mehdi Shah has suspened Deputy Commissioner Diamer, Assistant Commissioner Chillas, Superintendent Police and Tehsildar for inefficiency and on demand of the protesters. Mr. Shah has appealed people to cooperate to prevail peace. The land link between Chillas and Gilgit was suspended following the protesters blocked Karakorum High Way against the killings of three people on Thursday.



An interview with Executive Engineer NAPWD
VoH Special
Interviewed by: Shamsuddin Muhammad

Movie by: Shamsuddin Muhammad




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PICTORY

Inauguration of boat service
VoH
By: Shamsuddin Muhammad
HUNZA, Attaabad: Volunteers unloading boats sought by regional government to replace helicopter service to facilitate commuters . Photo by: Shams

Muttabiat Shah, technocrat GBLA and Zafar Waqar Taj, Deputy Commissioner Hunza-Nagar are actively participated in relief work operations: Photo by: Shamsuddin Muhammad
HUNZA:(Left)Editor VoH with NAPWD and NDMA officials, ( Middle)Government officials supervising removal of debris from the disaster site (Right) A bulldozer is busy making breach in the blocked water.

HUNZA, Attaabad: Volunteers and NDMA personnels busy in relief operations and inauguration of boat service


HUNZA: Left: Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah, Wazir Baig, Speaker GBLA, Home Secretary Usman Yunus, Deputy Commissioner Hunza-Nager Zafar Waqar Taj and force commander speaking to media persons on the occasion of inauguration of boat service to replace chopper service; Middle: First boat about to sail; Right: FWO bulldozers removing debris from the site: Photo by: Shamsuddin Muhammad



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Nomination of female governor to be hailed: CM

VOH Watch
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19: Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan has said that the nomination of female governor would be hailed to fulfill the aspirations of both masses and late Chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Talking to a regional daily,after meeting with Faryal Talpoor, sister of President Zardari at her residence, he rejected the rumors of nominations for a male governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.He said that the newly appoint governor will be from Gilgit Baltistan who has grasp over regional politics. " If Benazir Bhutto has governed country twice and Fehmida Mirza is proving a successful Speaker of National Assembly then why not a female govern can not run affairs of Gilgit-Baltistan," he added. He said that situation will be clear within few days ahead, Daily K2-Urdy reports.







Helicopters contniue to shift releief Package to Shishkat and Ayeenabad; major portion of Ayeenabad submerged, main Shishkat-Gulmit bridge about to sink and collapse
VoH Report
HUNZA, Shishkat, Ayeenabad, Feb.18: According to reliable media sources,regional government managed to send essentials to the Shishkat and Gulmit to fulfill current demands. Rest of the Ayeenabad including twelve houses and lower areas of Shishkat settlement have been submerged completely. Rising water level on naturally formed lake rose to 170 feet and stretched to about fifteen kilometers long leaving 10 houses submerged in Shishkat village and rest at low altitude have been evacuated.The water level of blocked water rose to 170 feet and stretched to about fifteen kilometers. The main bridge between Gulmit and Shishkat would be submerged within next few days and feared to collapse. This will create a new situation for the Shishkat will turn into peninsula.


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Violence in Chilas, 3 Diamir dam affectees shot dead
VoH watch
Islamabad, February 18: Security forces allegedly opened fire on a group of people affected by the Diamir Dam while they were protesting against the government’s inability to pay compensations to them in Chillas, headquarter of Diamir district. At least three people were killed as a result of the firing while some were reported injured.The enraged protesters pelted NAPWD office with stones and put its furniture and other equipments on fire. A police station was also torched, according to some reports.Work on the dam is scheduled to take place in 2010 but the government has not yet been able to win confidence of the affected people. The local people had been protesting for many days asking the government to pay attention to their demands of rehabilitation and compensation for the loss of property and other means of livelihood caused by the dam, Pamir Times reports.

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Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on Thursday

Voice Of Hunza
Natural calamities are not new to the people of Giligit-Baltistan; most of whom have had suffered a lot due to either criminal negligence of those on helms of power, lack of disaster prevention measures or overlooking of the phenomenon where that certain strata of population took with ease.The recent horrible land slide tragedy that slid down a major portion of Attaabad and Sarat villages and turned settlements into rubbles with in few moments. The massive land slide calamity claimed many precious lives, most of them of Sarat , a more safer village than Attaabad recommended by FOCUS, leaving trapped under rubble, many critically injured. Besides human loss, property damage was unimaginable that reminded us the havoc of high magnitude earth quack of October, 2005 in Azad Jamu and Kashmir. Keeping the geographical features of the region in general and the slide affected area in particular where seismic or volcanic activity is active,geological experts of Survey of Pakistan and FOCUS in their respective reports warned the population of expected danger declaring the area red zone and suggested to leave at their earliest. Some of the dwellers with sound economic status managed to leave their home town while rest failed to do as it seemed hard to cut off the organic links with a land where they grew up. Unfortunately, neither public representatives nor civil administration and not any NGO voiced over the issue to make in time arraignments of rehabilitation and the voice of masses failed to fell on deaf years of the authorities to avoid such a tragedy. Much more has been said and written on the disaster and meaningless to revisit the details of panic observed on site. Government, NGOs, regional civil administrations, intelligentsia, civil society members, electronic and print media and finally last not least bloggers playing remarkable role to highlight issues and kept viewers updated every moment. Government managed to arrange helicopter service with the support of Disaster Management Authority under the directions of federal government to shift commuters stranded at Aliabad and Gulmit due to prolong blockade of Hunza river and Karakorum High Way, the only land route access of Gojal,upper Hunza and central. Government officials claimed that process of rehabilitation of affectees was in final stage and expected to be materialized with in a month which is a good sign in the attitude of bureaucracy with feudal mindset. Sufficient relief goods have been contributed by philanthropist individuals, organizations and government and categorically available in case of emergency. The relief package for Inter Displaced People (IDPs) is effectively organized under the supervision of Deputy and Assistant Commissioner and was renewable on February 17 for a specific period that contains daily essentials and edible items.
There are some reports of resentment shown by IDPs over delay in rehabilitation process that emerged due to exaggerated claims of slide hit affectees on their possessions especially that of Sarat village. Helicopters continued to supply essentials on Wednesday in compliance with the pledges of Chief Minister to provide all possible support to all affectees of land slide. Besides re-opening of Pak-Chinese border to facilitate population of Shishkat, Ayeenabad, Gulmit and other cut off far flung valleys of Gojal,upper Hunza government officials are planning to extend boat service to Gulmit for the main bridge that link Shishkat and Gulmit on Hunza River is about to sink in blocked water.According to available data, majority of Ayeenabad including twelve houses and lower areas of Shishkat settlement have been submerged completely. Rising water level on naturally formed lake rose to 170 feet and stretched to about fifteen kilometers long leaving 10 houses submerged in Shishkat village and rest at low altitude have been evacuated. On the other hand, both political and civil administration of Gilgit Baltistan is doing according to its capacity. Officials
and workers of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and Northern Areas Power and Works Department (PWD) are delivering their best to make breach in gigantic debris surrounded by sheered mountain rocks with anxiety in red zone as the area has had volcanic activity that created visible cracks in rocks. According to an PWD engineer, there is no chance of sudden outburst of lake water for the stony debris is stretched at fifty degree against the prolong blocked water on river. The engineer further says that it will take at least three months to make a breach to release water systemetically.Chief Minister Mehdi Shah accompanied with Wazir Baig Speaker of house and other officials has vowed to extend every possible support to the affectees in the critical times saying such disasters are test of endurance of nations adding the disaster has had direct impact on Gilgit Baltistan region too. The presence of public representatives serves to appease feeling of deprivation among the masses emerged following suspension of chopper services due to bad climatic conditions.Regional government has managed the issue effectively by ensuring boat service as an alternative. We through this medium would like to urge both the political and civil administration to keep in touch with the affectees to address their genuine needs by eliminating communication gulf that emerge at a sudden unexpectedly. We would also request political parties,
members of civil society and intelligentsia to come forward and keep their difference aside to join hands in hand to bring the affectees out of troubles. We hope, the nation will be able to come out of menace with better strategy and planning.



Editor

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Every dictatorial amends to go
VoH Monitor
LAHORE, Feb.22: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the nation would be getting another good news in March this year when all undesirable amendments introduced in the Constitution by the dictators would be revoked. Addressing a joint meeting of PPP Punjab Executive Committee, divisional coordinators and district presidents at State Guest House here, the PM said that Constitutional Reforms Committee had almost completed its work and the Constitution would be restored to its original form before next presidential address to joint sitting of the Parliament in March this year. Gilani said all unconstitutional changes made in the Constitution during dictatorial rules, including 17th Amendment, would be repealed by striking a balance of power between the offices of the prime minister and the president. It is to be noted that PM Gilani recently gave a good news to the nation by withdrawing notifications regarding appointment of judges which was issued by the government against the advice of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and which had brought the judiciary and the executive face to face. Gilani told party men that a strong party organization was essential for a strong government, as the latter drew its strength from party cadres. He said the PPP leadership was determined to strengthen the party at gross roots level. He asked them to get ready for the upcoming local body elections in Punjab by starting the essential homework at the early stage.
The PM said the government was facing tough challenges in the form of terrorism, price-hike, unemployment and lawlessness, but it had the capability to face these. He asked the partymen to float their suggestions to overcome these problems. The Nation



Terrorists attack police stations in Mansehra, Balakot

VoH Monitor
MANSEHRA, Feb. 20: A police official was killed and six other policemen wounded in the attacks on two police stations in northwest Pakistan Saturday, police said.In first attack a gunfight broke out when two suicide bombers stormed into a police station in Mansehra, police said. One of the attackers was shot dead and the other fled, station chief Waheed Khan told AFP.
“We have cordoned the area and are searching for the second attacker,” Khan told AFP. Ali Raza, another police official, told AFP that bomb disposal staff were defusing the explosives strapped to the dead attacker's body.An AFP photographer at the scene saw the body of the attacker lying in the police station and heard gunshots as police rushed to find the second attacker.Dawn/AFP




NAB detects corruption of at least Rs 2 trillion: Babar Awan

VoH Monitoring desk
ISLAMABAD, Feb.19 :The National Accountability Bureau has so far detected the corruption of at least Rs 2 trillion since its establishment, Federal Law Minister Babar Awan stated on Friday. The bureau also arrested 1,470 people accused in those corruption cases. Awan informed the National Assembly that those arrested included politicians, bureaucrats and other officials. The minister did not elaborate how much money the bureau had recovered in all those cases, The nation reported.







CJ dismayed on NAB's delay in reopening Swiss cases
VoH watch dog
ISLAMABAD, Feb.19: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has expressed annoyance over chairman NAB for not reopening Swiss cases and held him responsible for non-implementation of December 16 verdict.Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has urgently summoned chairman NAB for clarification during hearing of bankers’ city case. He has expressed annoyance on chairman NAB and inquired why some people were favored when all other cases were reopened and why the latter failed to write a letter to Swiss government in connection with the Swiss cases.Chairman NAB in his reply said that Swiss cases will be reopened and in this regard he is taking instructions from secretary law.The Chief Justice said the court knows very well how to implement its decisions and ordered stoppage of salary of chairman NAB if Swiss cases were not opened, Geo tv reports.




Pakistan avalanche kills 20, 30 missing: police

VoH Watch

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 18: An avalanche killed at least 20 people on Thursday in a remote mountain village in northern Pakistan where rescue workers struggled to free another 30 buried under snow and ice, police said.The disaster struck in Kohistan district, which borders Pakistan's mountainous Northern Areas and is blanketed in snow for most of the harsh winter, hampering efforts to reach the stricken area and help the survivors.

Seven people were also killed in a separate avalanche late Monday in the northern district of Chitral, with officials saying the remote location prevented them reaching the area earlier. Police official Mohammad Sadiq said that rescue teams had recovered 20 dead bodies from the Kohistan avalanche about 220 kilometres (138 miles) north of the Pakistani capital Islamabad.“We have reports that 30 more people have been buried,” he told AFP by telephone from Dasu, the main town in the area.“The avalanche hit Kundian village... We fear that some women and children were also trapped,” he said, adding that four houses were completely buried and other buildings were badly damaged. Kundian village, about 75 kilometres from Dasu, is cut off with no phone or communication links, police said.“There is about five to seven feet of snow around the village and in the mountains - rescue workers are facing a lot of problems,” said Shams Ur Rehman, a police official at the main control room in Dasu.“One has to travel 50 kilometres on foot to reach this village. There is no communication system or telephone facility.
Police are there, rescue teams are there, and the government is also sending helicopters to the area,” he added.Late Monday, a huge mass of snow slammed into a road about 150 kilometres away, burying local villagers returning after working at a construction project in the area, local police officer Sahab Nabi said.“We have recovered four bodies and three are still buried under the avalanche,” he told AFP. Dawn





Executive, judiciary ‘break the ice’;PM attends banquet hosted by CJP in honour of RamdayGilani invites Iftikhar Chaudhry to meeting Says ‘good news’ today

VoH Monitoring Desk

ISLAMABAD, Feb.18: An apparent thaw in strained relations between the executive and the judiciary became visible on Tuesday when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani invited Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to a meeting to iron out differences.The prime minister’s invitation came at a banquet hosted by the chief justice in honour of Justice (r) Khalilur Rehman Ramday – who retired recently as a Supreme Court judge. Taking the initiative at the government’s highest level, Gilani said, “It is our own country and we have to work in unison. We have no differences.” The prime minister, in a brief chat with the media, said the nation would hear “good news” today (Wednesday). He did not elaborate further, but said he had invited the chief justice for a meeting. “I have been asserting that we have cordial relations with the judiciary. I have come here for a dinner and not to do politics. I have invited the honourable chief justice to come to my house. It is also his house,” he said. He did not reply when asked if the government was planning to withdraw a recent notification on judges’ appointment.“For every wrong done, there is a remedy. I have been stating this on the floor of the House,” said Gilani while looking in the direction of the chief justice, who had come to see him off. The chief justice evaded questions by journalists.On his arrival at the SC earlier, Gilani was warmly welcomed by the chief justice. The prime minister and the chief justice shared the same table at which former SCBA president Aitzaz Ahsen and other judges were seated.Earlier in the National Assembly, in an apparent bid to fizzle out political tensions, Gilani rephrased a statement he made a day earlier in the House, saying the government had no objection, Dailytimes reported.





US agrees to fund ‘visible’ projects in

Monitoring Report
ISLAMABAD, Feb.18: In what is seen here as a major shift in its aid strategy for Pakistan, the United States has decided to fund large development projects to stem the tide of rising anti-Americanism and improve its image. “Both sides will soon agree on identification of highly visible projects to be undertaken with the US assistance,” US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry told Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday. According to a US embassy statement, Senator Kerry met political and military leaders and discussed with them Pakistan government’s priorities for the most effective and transparent implementation of United States assistance funds.The United States has tripled its development assistance for Pakistan to bring about a change in the crisis-driven nature of ties between the two countries into one based on long-term engagement. Pakistan had been calling upon the Obama administration in recent months to finance large-scale projects with bigger visibility, instead of many smaller ones which required a significant number of American experts and monitors on ground and caused suspicions among the public and also in the military and intelligence services about the large American presence in the country.Additionally, Pakistan had been arguing that United States development plans had huge overhead expenses, consuming almost 50 per cent of the aid.Pakistan wants US funding a number of big projects, including a 2000-3000 MW power plant; a liver transplant facility and modern hospitals and trauma centres.Kerry, during his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani, welcomed the government’s proposal for setting up medical facilities in militancy-hit areas and strengthening the energy sector for overcoming power shortages.He agreed with Mr Gilani on the need for fast tracking the development process to sustain the progress achieved by Pakistan, against extremism and militancy.Kerry, who had arrived here from New Delhi, expressed Washington’s willingness to help the two countries revive the stalled multi-track Composite Dialogue, Dawn News reports.



US media reports on arrest ‘propaganda’: Malik

VoH Watch
ISLAMABAD, Feb.17: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday branded as “propaganda” reports that the top Taliban military commander had been arrested in a joint Pakistani-US spy operation. Addressing reporters outside parliament in Islamabad, the minister stopped short of either confirming or denying the media reports. “We are verifying all those we have arrested. If there is any big target [among them], I will ... [let the] nation [know],” said Malik. “If the New York Times gives information, it is not divine truth, it can be wrong. We have joint intelligence sharing and no joint investigation, nor joint raids,” he added. AFP

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Oil and Gas regularity Authority (OGRA) has increased prices of petroleum products by about four percent in the beginning of first week of the current month on pretext of changes in prices of crude oil in global markets. According to the statistics available on the move, the notification issued by aforementioned authority has allowed oil refining and marketing companies in the country to increase price of petrol by three rupees and diesel by two rupees a liter that took effected following few hours of announcement. With the sudden hike, price of petrol rose up to seventy-one rupee and twenty-one paisas per liter, diesel costs sixty-one rupees and seven paisas per liter, kerosene oil costs sixty-four rupees and seven paisas per liter in the national markets.Official sources assert that such move is the result of declining value of rupee against dollar in open markets. In real, the situation is bit abstruse to understand. Oil and Gas Regularity Authority is not a full public Representative body; rather it is composed of representatives of giant oil and gas marketing companies under a nominal control of representative of federal government. Consequently, due to lack of check and accountability, the load of any change either in terms of devalue of money or real change in oil prices in global markets is passed on end consumers- a strange creature in today's world called masses. Political parties, legislature and other organs of today's civil society who are indifferent on real issues of common man seems to busy on debates of repeal of constitutional amendments to secure democracy. Political parties sitting on opposition benches, for instance now a days utter nothing but repeal of 17th amendment to paw the way prime minister's 3rd term of office; and to settle personal accounts with that of a former dictator who has become a thing of past. The main question that rises in our minds is"if the people had supported in elections to utter of their own to facilitate their rule, or to address their issues in both houses? We are dwellers of a peculiar country where announcements that supports interests of wealthy and capitalist class are get implemented with in few hours that causes to boost the trend to concentrate wealth within few hands. As for as common masses are concerned, they are like scape-goat between producers and the giant sellers who leave no moment to exploit the opportunity b earning due share in terms of profits by dumping their products for few days to create more demand in the market.
The situation in Gilgit-Baltistan is no different rather worse. The cumulative increase in the petroleum products is estimated about eleven percent during last six months that has added to the difficulties of more than 40% population living under the poverty line in the region.
Nearly all areas have been affected after such a haphazard increase in petroleum products- a very essential requirement of human needs. Prices of other all essentials especially edible items and transportation charges have been sky rocketed in the region. Kerosene oil, a basic essential of households in the region, after increase in price has become out of reach of poor for the legacy of hide and seek of electricity continue during chilling day weather. Transporters who turned into a giant mafia have increased according to their own irrespective of distance covered by travelers. Civil administration should ensure proper mechanism on travel charges as well as provision of rate lists to sellers in order to secure interests of poor masses.








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Monitoring every regional historical development

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Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan

Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan
Reflecting socio-economic, administrative and cultural impulses in regional periphery

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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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