Kayani to serve for 3 more years
Monitoring desk
ISLAMABAD, July 23: In a dramatic development, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday announced an extension of three years in the service of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, who was due to retire on November 29, this year.
In a televised speech, PM Gilani praised the “remarkable” role of the army chief in the war against terrorism and the objectives achieved by the army under his leadership in militancy-hit areas of the country. “The success of military operations could only have been achieved under General Ashfaq Kayani’s leadership. He has been involved in planning and monitoring of operations in militancy-hit areas. These operations are at a critical stage and successful continuation of these operations required continuation in military high command,” Gilani said. “General Kayani is held in high esteem at the international level due to his excellent military leadership qualities and pro-democracy views. In the best interest of the nation, I, in a capacity as prime minister, have decided to give General Kayani a three-year extension in his service from November 29, 2010, relaxing the rules, and after consulting President Asif Ali Zardari,” Gilani said. He said the country was passing through difficult times, as the government was engaged in a war against terrorism.
Mainstream political parties including the PML-N, when contacted, opted not to give any immediate reaction to the development, saying they would announce their official statement later. However, it is widely believed that the US played an important role in the decision, as Gen Kayani is actively engaged with the US and NATO in the strategic planning of the ongoing war against militancy. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also believed to have lobbied for General Kayani’s extension during her recent visit to Pakistan where she met the country’s top civilian and military leadership, Daily Times reported.







Two Brothers Killed in Roof Collapse in Lahore
VoH Monitor
LAHORE, July 23: Two children were killed when the roof of old house in Shadary Town collapsed, police and rescue workers said. The incessant spree of monsoon rains continued in most part of the country including Punjab.
The roof of Shahdara Town resident Zaheer Abbas collapsed due to extensive rain. Shajar Ali 3 and his brother Rajab died on spot while their parents received injuries. The parents were discharged from hospital after treatment.
Both the children were asleep when the incident took
place. Zaheer Abbas informed that the roof of his house collapsed due to extensive rains, a daily News paper Pakistan reports.






Traditional performances add oomph to celebration
Monitoring desk
ISLAMABAD, July 22: To celebrate the National Day of his country, Ambassador of Egypt, Magdy Amer hosted a reception, not at a hotel but at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). The function was well attended by government officials; military officers; diplomats of many cadres; Pakistanis from different walks of life and the Egyptian community living in and around the capital. The icing on the cake, so to say, was a cultural performance by a group of Egypt’s famous artistes — the Sufi thought based Al-Tannoura Troupe for Cultural Heritage, the reason for the shift in venue. The guest of honour was Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, who arrived almost on time and in consequence, the show began as scheduled. The programme began with the playing of the National Anthems of Egypt and Pakistan in video mode, screening images from both country’s sightseeing attractions and other aspects of which they are proud. The three-part performance began after the troupe was introduced to the audience. The first part was only instrumental, with the musicians (tambourines); ‘tabla’ and ‘mizmar’ (single or double reed wind instrument — in Egypt, the conical shawm). The ‘ney’ is a very ancient instrument, with depictions of players appearing in wall paintings in the Egyptian pyramids. It figures prominently in Arabic music and has importance in the ‘Tannoura’ performance.
The second and third parts consisted of the long ‘tannoura’ dance, which is religious in focus. In the first of these, six group dancers stood or moved in various formations, circling the central dancer in the same direction, with the speed of the ircling varying from slow to fast and vice-versa. Their movements were synchronised and changed with precision for each different formation, while the central dancer remained in the same place on stage for the duration of his performance. He began by playing three brightly coloured drums and twirling at the same time. After a few other changes like removing his jacket and the brightly coloured top skirt, the extended, trance-like portion of the dance began, with the vocalist continuing his chant accompanied by the musicians and concluded with the central figure unfolding a cloth with ‘Allah’ on its top fold and other inscriptions, which were seen when he unfolded the cloth. He then refolded it and passed it to one of the musicians — all the while swirling, reaching a crescendo and then slowing down to end the presentation. The second part had three twirling dancers also outfitted in colourful costumes — these highlight the swirling — and they too gave a mesmerising performance with a few additional twists and turns — the dance is full of philosophical concepts reflecting the man’s spiritual dilemma in understanding the universe from the Sufis’ point of view. However, this dance has been enriched by the colourful variations of the Egyptian folk lifestyle. Addressing the gathering at the end of the performance, Ambassador Magdy Amer thanked his guests for attending the function and promised that there would be more such cultural performances in future. Egyptian culture has six thousand years of recorded history. Here it will be relevant to add that according to experts, ancient Egypt was among the earliest civilisations and for millennia, Egypt maintained a strikingly complex and stable culture that influenced later cultures of Europe, the Middle East and other African countries. After the era of the Pharaohs, Egypt came under the influence of Hellenism, Christianity and Islamic culture. Today, many aspects of Egypt’s ancient culture exist in interaction with newer elements, including the influence of modern Western culture, itself with roots in ancient Egypt.
The
Al-Tannoura troupe was established by the Egyptian Ministry of Sports and Culture in 1988 to revive the traditional artistic and cultural influences that were about to be lost. Egypt’s capital city, Cairo, is Africa’s largest city and has been renowned for centuries as a centre of learning, culture and commerce.The News International







HEC in yet another spiral
VoH News Watch
ISLAMABAD, July 20: (AgenciesA meeting between Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman has sent the commission into another spiral, making the outcome of the issue of fake degrees more confusing.
On one hand, a number of universities has sought more time from the HEC after the expiry of the deadline for completing the verification process, and the prime minister’s new directive for submitting the verification reports to the education minister rather than the National Assembly Standing Committee on Education that is headed by an opposition lawmaker, has added to the mess. In the meeting with HEC Chairman Javed Leghari, Gilani had directed him to submit verification reports of degrees to Education Minister Assef Ahmed, instead of submitting them to the National Assembly Standing Committee for Education, headed by PML-N’s Abid Sher Ali.
The Election Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court, which had directly sent some degrees for verification, are also waiting for HEC’s report. Following Gilani’s directive, the HEC on Tuesday sent its report to the education minister, declaring 183 degrees valid, while reporting 37 to be fake. However, the names of the degree holders have not been made public so far.









Pakistan denies India land transit route to Afghanistan;Pakistan, Afghanistan sign transit trade deal
Monitoring Desk

ISLAMABAD, July 19: Pakistan and Afghanistan reached an understanding on Sunday on all major issues related to transit trade, as Pakistan denied allowing a land transit trade route to India.
The broad-based record note was signed on Sunday evening at the Prime Minister’s House in the presence of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The note said, “Pakistan and Afghanistan hope that the resolution of all outstanding matters relating to the finalisation of the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) will help in the early signing of the agreement, after completion of legal processes from both sides.” Access: The two sides agreed that no Indian export to Afghanistan will be allowed through Wahga, however, Afghanistan would have the opportunity to export to India. Reciprocally, Pakistan would be able to export its goods to Central Asia through Afghanistan. The agreement thus signed would be an important milestone in the development of Pak-Afghan trade and economic relationship and would benefit both sides. The note, signed by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Faheem, and Afghan Minister for Commerce and Industries Dr Anwarul Haq Ahady, mentions that trucks from Afghanistan would be allowed to carry Afghan transit export cargo on designated routes to Pakistani seaports, as well as the Wahga border.Afghan trucks, on return, will be permitted to carry goods from Pakistan to Afghanistan under the same expeditious procedures and conditions as Pakistani transport units. It was also decided that all Afghan transit goods would be exported in containers of international specifications. For a period of three years, the cargo would be allowed to be transported in internationally acceptable and verifiable standards of seal-able trucks, while oversize and bulk cargo, which is not imported in container-shiploads, would be transported in open trucks or other transport units. It was also agreed that perishable goods in transit would be transported in open trucks or other transport units.Courtesy: Daily Times







Hillary Clinton to arrive Pakistan on Sunday for
Strategic dialogue process;Upcoming round of Pak-US strategic talks to advance progress: Zardari
Monitoring report
ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP) - President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that the upcoming round of Pak-US Strategic Dialogue would further advance progress made so far in the mutually agreed areas of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. He said that the road map prepared during previously held meetings between the officials of the two countries for making consistent progress would be pursued further for implementation of the projects identified in those meetings.
On the other hand, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will arrive here on Sunday for two days visit to Pakistan to consult with leaders on bilateral and regional issues.She will also participate with her delegation in a meeting of the bi-lateral Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue with Pakistan being held at Foreign Office here on Monday, said a statement issued by U.S. Embassy here on Saturday. Hillary Clinton will also chair a meeting of the Strategic Dialogue with her counterpart, Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.




Two explosions hit Garhi Shahu, Shahdara in Lahore
VOH Monitoring Report
LAHORE, July 17: Seven people were injured when two explosions went off in Lahore's Garhi Shahu and Shahdara areas, police confirmed on Saturday. The first bomb went off in Garhi Shahu, followed by another in Begum Kot in the city's Shahdara area. Both the blasts took place inside internet cafes. The injured mostly suffered wounds caused by the shattering of the glass and were taken to the hospital by rescue teams.


According to the bomb disposal squad, one pound worth of explosive material was used in the blast that took place in the Garhi Shahu area, whereas the cause of the Begum Kot blast had still not been determined. CCPO Lahore Aslam Tareen stated that investigations for both the blasts were underway and the police had started a search operation in various areas of the city. He said that there was a possibility that locals were involved in the attacks. – DawnNews





Pakistan needs support from FODP for poverty alleviation and development projects: FM
VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday highlighting the importance of international help and cooperation said Pakistan needs budgetary support for poverty alleviation and to complete development projects to fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism. In his opening remarks at the meeting of Ministerial Meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan held here at Foreign Office the Foreign Minister said, “Today we are having to divert significant resources from our development programme towards fighting the militancy and in the immediate term we need budgetary support so that our poverty alleviation and development programmes continue uninterruptedly.”









Pakistan lost $43 bln in last nine years on terror war: Qureshi
Monitoring desk
ISLAMABAD, July 17:Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday highlighting the importance of international help and cooperation said Pakistan needs budgetary support for poverty alleviation and to complete development projects to fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism. In his opening remarks at the meeting of Ministerial Meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan held here at Foreign Office the Foreign Minister said, “Today we are having to divert significant resources from our development programme towards fighting the militancy and in the immediate term we need budgetary support so that our poverty alleviation and development programmes continue uninterruptedly.” The meeting was also being attended by Special Representative of U.S. President Obama for Pakistan and Afghanistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, representatives from the members of the FODP, World Bank and other international financial organizations.The Nation

Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on Saturday

2 comments

  1. Anonymous Says:
  2. Very few names retained public love. Kiyani's one kept aloof from dirty games of politics and focussed on his professional duties. Love kiyani, love democracy, love army!

     
  3. Egyptian traditional dance is marvelous. so is its Harmeila.

     

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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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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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