Gari, Chinar Bagh, Ghizar road ruined, water enters AKUH family health centre,CM Secretariat, 14 died
VoH Report

GILGIT, July 31: The flesh floods in the wake of heavy rain pour after entering Gari, Chinar Bagh areas, ruined roads linking low lying areas of with the rest of city on one hand and the link with Hunza-Nagar district on the other. According to updates from our correspondent, continous rising water level in the low lying areas along Gilgit river right from Basin has damaged Gilgit to Ghizar road,the only link to connect former with the later. Flooding water that entered Aga Khan Family Health unit last night now entered Chief Minister secretariat posing threat to adjacent building of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly, SSP office, AKRSP head office and various guest houses on river side road till Sonikot limits. Around fourteen people have reported been died including children at different places of the city on Friday.
On the other hand,beside haphazard running of river, water submerged bally bridges between Konodas and Gilgit city, cutting off the link with Hunza-Nagar distict. According to the local administrative officials, concrete efforts were being made to avert any possible mishap in the region.





Heavy land sliding along KKH-Traffic remained suspended on Hunza-Nagar, Gilgit section
VoH Report
HUNZA, Nagar, Gilgit, July 29: Traffic remained virtually suspended following heavy rain pour that triggered land sliding at various points on Karakorum High Way (KKH), our correspondent reported. According the details,public transport stranded at Chickus, a rocky point between Murtaza Abad and Nasir abad caused to suspend traffic of all kinds from Hunza-Nagar to Gilgit on early Thursday.

Similarly, rain fall disrupted the traffic on the same route near Jafarabad, Lower Nagar, creating problems for the residents of nearby villages. Suspension of transportation facilities, essential commodities in the markets have caused to disappear immediately in Aliabad, the main commercial hub of Hunza-Nagar region.






Breakage of Fiber optic near Sikandarabad disconnect Hunza-Nagar from rest of the country
VoH Report

Hunza, Nagar, July 29: The sudden break in the Fiber optic near Sikandarabad on Thursday following land sliding disconnected Hunza-Nagar distric from rest of the country. According to our correspondent from Sikandarabad, Nagar, fiber optic connection being used by Special Communications for telecommunication and information services demaged partially near Sikandarabad Police station when a land slide hit the Karakorum High Way (KKH) around 11:AM on Thursday, leaving Hunza-Nagar distric in isolation.
SCO officials and workers were busy to remove the obstacle on the site and assured that the link would be repaired till Saturday morning.







Earth shocks bring people out of their houses; Hunza-Nagar continued to jolt four times within twenty four hours
Bureau Report
Hunza, Nagar, July 30: Settlements in Central Hunza continued to jolt as the earth quack hit the area four times in 24 hours. According to the details, shocks were first felt around 5: 30 PM on Thursday, during heavy rainfall.
The another was felt at 5:00 AM while it regenerated a thrilling impact at 11:00 on Friday, in Jafarabad, Minapin, Mayone, Hussainabad, Khanabad, Nasirabad,Murtazaabad, Hasanabad, Fakar, Shayar, Sumayar, Aliabad, Hyderabad, Doarkhand, Garelth, Karimabad, Ganish, Alitit, Hopper and outskirts, bringing dwellers out of their houses in horror. Population of these areas reported the fourth time convulsion of earth at 2:20 PM on Thursday that caused further land sliding at various points on Karakorum High Way (KKH). To read full, please visit this link: www.rdstime.blogspot.com



Marglla Hills Plane cresh-2 victims from Hunza
VoH Report
ISLAMABAD, July 30: According to national media sources, 2 person out of 152 dead in plane crash near Margalla Hills site were identified as residents of Karimabad, Hunza. According to a private TV channel, Piyar Ali and Tasneem, a physician by profession children of Iftikhar Ali was among the victims of the mishap. The bodies of deceases are expected to be reach with in few days after confirmation.







Hunza Superstar Aliabad wins Manzoor Eleven velly ball tournament
VoH Report
HUNZA, Garelt, July 26: Hunza Superstar Aliabad, won Manzoor Eleven 9 day long velly ball tournament held at Garelth, Minor (Xchill) Ganish, Hyderabad Hunza. More than twelve teams from different localities of Hunza region participated in this recreational nine day long thrilling event. Final match was decisively played between the host Manzoor Eleven, Garelth team and Hunza Superstar Aliabad on Sunday, July 25, 2010. Aliabad Superstar won this match by 14-11, 14-10 and 14-11 in best of three series.
Both teams provided the amateurs with the thrilling match as the host team entered ground in an energized mood.
One interesting aspect of the series of tournament was presence of Hunza traditional classical band which continued to infuse sportsmanship and spirit in the players in the field.


HUNZA, Garelth, Xchill Ganish: Manzoor Eleven, Garelth team and Hunza Superstar Aliabad trying hard to get their respective team win. Image by: Shams

Ijlal Hussain, programme manager National Commission for Hunman Development (NCHD), who was the chief guest of final event in his speech applauded Manzoor vellyball club, Minor Ganish for arrangement of such a successful event with available meager fund. He, personally announced cash prices Rs. 2,000 and 1,000 to winner Aliabad Superstar and runner-up Manzoor Vally ball club team, respectively. He also announced Rs.2,000 to organizers of event saying such kind of recreational activities are necessary to enhance healthy activities in society. Applauding organizers and teams that participated in the tournament, he emphasized rest of youth to participate in such sort of activities to remain physically fit and healthy. " In wake of Attaabad disaster, arrangement of recreational activities were indispensable to reduce the tension from the minds of youth." he added.

Hunza, Garelt, Xchill Ganish: Amateurs watching final mach with greater keen. Image by Shams
In the end of the event, he gave away cash prices to man of the match to the team captain Aliabad Superstar, special price to Wajahat of Manzoor eleven and trophies to the winner and runner team before dust.

HUNZA, Garelth: An energetic scene of struggle between two teams in the final match on Sunday evening.

The first ever organization of such a thrilling physical event by a sports club of comparatively small locality (population vise) despite of restraints of financial resources can be a good opportunity to identify talent in the tense environment overshadowed by Attaabad disaster in Hunza.






Deceased identified as Shahbani
VoH Report
By: Shamsuddin Muhammad
HUNZA-NAGAR, July 26:The issue of unknown dead body of a around 40 years old woman found underneath Nasirabad bridge in the beggning of July 2010, that created fear among the people of newly carved out Hunza Nagar district finally got resolve. According to the police sources, the dead body which was burried at Aliabad cementary temporally was identified as Shabani, a mentally retarded lady of Sumayar Khai area. The family members of the deceased identified her and subsequently was taken to her ancestral graveyard, Sumayar Nagar.
With this development, the uncertainty about the incident ended. Being a blind incident with no evidences of external injuries was a great challenge for a local police without any modern facility of sophisticated investigation over such cases. According to Ramzan Ali, a resident of Sumayar Nagar, Shabani was mentally sick and was brought by family members from Gilgit city recently.
For more details, please visit: www.gbecho.blogspot.com





Public in certain areas vary of improper energy distribution mechanism of PWD
Justify Full
VoH Report
HUNZA, Aliabad, Hyderabad, July 24: Residents of Aliabad and Hyderabad expressing their disgust over the irrational mechanism of Water department for their lack of proper energy distribution in numerous areas where electricity was dear. According to our correspondence, residents of Sina Khand in Aliabad and Brongushal and Khruskushal in Hyderabad have criticized power department for uneven distribution to the respective areas. Talking to our correspondent, Abdul Karim, a resident of Sina Khan blamed concerned department for suspending electricity even on their turn. Karim Khan, a resident of Khurukushal,Hyderabad via telephone alleged officials of PWD for their inefficiency in distribution mechanism.
On the other extreme, Sajad, an official of the department, while talking on cell phone rejected the blames on department of inefficiency saying areas where appliances of higher voltage were subjected to get electicity on alternate days. He said that it was in hand of the population whether they want a daily supply or on alternate days saying saving of it by each household would benefit the whole areas. "Village based committees, established by people themselves can supervise consumption and controlled mechanism would naturally enable us to provide power every area regularly," he added.
It is pertinent to tell readers that one out of two hydro power generating plants at Hasanabad was removed ahead of overflow of water from the barrier to avoid any physical loss as the hype of flesh floods was height that time. The only existing hydro power generating plant with capacity of 2 kilowatt is the sole source to cater the needs of around 40,000 population in central and lower Hunza.






Spill way of Atta Abad Lake to widen from end of this month
VoH Watch
ISLAMABAD, Jul 24 (APP): Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Gen. ® Nadeem Ahmed on Friday said the concerned departments have decided to start controlled blasting by the end of this month for widening the spill way of the Atta Abad Lake. Addressing a press conference here at Prime Minister Secretariat, he said Frontier Works Organization (FWO) would handle the operation of controlled blasting while NESPAC, WAPDA, Survey of Pakistan and China would assist FWO for the entire operation.
He said the second option was to construct a two kilometer tunnel from outer edge to deep inside the lake by tapping technique which is successfully working in Norway, but it takes one to two years which is not affordable in the current circumstances. Talking about the Karakorum Highway (KKH) Chairman NDMA said that if lake water lowers up to 30 meters then KKH would be constructed at almost same place by using Shesh Kat bridge and if water level of the lake raises up to 10 meters then they would construct 35 kilometer extra road and it will be connected at Passu.
General Nadeem said that World Food Programme (WFP) will provide food to 25000 displaced people of Ataabad lake for six months, adding that China is also agreed to provide food stuff for the IDPs. “Government of Gilgit Baltistan will stock the food stuff provided by China at Sussat boarder and will use in any emergency”, he said. Replying to a question General Nadeem said on special instruction of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani he visited Baluchistan affected areas, adding that heavy rains in various parts of Baluchistan during night between 21 and 22 July have affected Kohlu, Barkhan, Duki, Dera Murad Jamalik Tehsil which affected 30 villages.
He further said NDMA has released 1200 tents, 800 blankets and 2400 plastic sheets which are being collected by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) fromQuetta Warehouse.






Water receding in Upstream

Beauro Report
HUNZA, GOJAL,July 24: The water level in the upstream is receding as the width of spill way continuous to expand and creating further slope for last two weeks. With the discharge of more water from barrier, boulders remained bury started to appear creating somehow resistance to further increase in outflow.

HUNZA, Gojal: Expansion of lake stopped due to increase in width of spill way and slope at Attaabad barrier causing recede water level Upstream. Image by: Dave


According to a team of geological experts monitoring movement of water and land surface, rate of out flow would increase within next few days if Sunday days enhance melting of glaciers in Gojal and outskirts. Read full on: www.alshams.wordpress.com









M.Jafar announces 200,000 each family addendum in proir approved relief package; assured IDPs for a consolidated comprehensive package; protestors calls off strike for some days
VoH Report
HUNZA, Aliabad, July 24: Minister for Food and live stock Syed Muhammad Jafar and senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party, Gilgit-Baltistan chapter announced 200,000 each family addendum in proir approved relief package and ensured Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) for a comprehesive consolidated package to be announced with in next few days. According to the details, food and live stock minister met Affectees on Wednesday, discussed with the relief committee in detail and annouced PKR.200,000 as addendum in the earlier relief package on his own discretion from the national exchequer. He assured protectors who reached at western end of lake's facade, a red zone declared by geological experts and authorities,and risked their lives in desperation as the government kept on pledging relief package verbally not practically. Interestingly, few concerned departments of our local governments, like that of Revenue collection and control that leaves no stone to fill to irk a common man for even a piety work through demands of bribes in the name of additional fee is in perplexity. The department, despite of a period of 5 months, could not prepare a relief package based on assessment of the ruined villages, Attaabad and Sarat as being a part of bureaucracy, it is a biggest example of red-tap and irresponsible attitudes towards sufferings of a common man.





Gilani directs return of Atta Abad affectees by end August
Monitoring desk
SLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday directed return of Atta Abad affectees by end August and disbursement of Rs.315 million relief package to them.Chairing a high level meeting here at the PM Secretariat Gilani directed the Gilgit-Baltistan government, National Disaster Management Authority and concerned ministries and departments to work in tandem to ensure the return of Atta Abad affectees by the deadline. He also directed disbursement of the relief package for the affectees on the pattern of the affecttees of Swat-Malakand line.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Secretary Finance, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan and Member Planning Commission. Gilani said Rs. 77 million have already been spent on food, medicine, shelter and transportation of Atta Abad lake affectees. He also directed the Finance Ministry to release an additional amount of Rs. 80 million for further deepening and broadening of the spillway to drain out water from the lake at the earliest. Out of Rs.15 billion Special Development Programme for Gilgit Baltistan,he said, the government has already allocated an amount of Rs. 3 billion in the current budget to bring the region at par with other areas of the country. He also directed to ensure provision of relief goods to the people stranded in the upper part of the lake. Chairman NDMA gave a detailed presentation about humanitarian aspect and technical work being carried out in the affected area. Secretary Finance informed the meeting that all funds for the affected area were being channelized through Gilgit Baltistan government.


Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on Saturday

4 comments

  1. Blair Miller Says:
  2. Dear Shams,

    After an intensive selection process that spanned the globe and drew 575 applicants from 65 countries, Acumen Fund has chosen ten extraordinary individuals to join the Acumen Fellows Class of 2011.

    The Acumen Fund Fellows Program is designed to address a talent gap in the social sector and cultivate the next generation of global leaders, offering young professionals the opportunity to provide on-the-ground management support to Acumen Fund investees who use business skills to help solve the problems of global poverty.

    I hope you will join me in welcoming:

    + Bryan Farris, United States
    + Mario Ferro, Italy
    + Chikako Fujita, Japan
    + Shane Heywood, Jamaica
    + Khuram Hussain, Pakistan
    + Elizabeth Maina, Kenya
    + Bavidra Mohan, Sri Lanka/Canada
    + Wendy Wallace, United States
    + Benjie Williams, United States
    + Brenda Williams, United States

    See their photos, bios and placements with Acumen Fund investees:
    http://support.acumenfund.org/site/R?i=BYDIQf7kKYBLXDAHQ2j94w..

    We're also excited to announce that the Acumen Fund Fellows Program has been named as a finalist for the John P. McNulty Prize, an award affiliated with the Aspen Global Leadership Network aimed at recognizing exceptional leadership projects that galvanize efforts to address the foremost social, economic and political challenges of our time.The prize will be awarded November 4, 2010 at the 27th Annual Aspen Institute Awards Dinner.

    Best regards,

    Blair Miller
    Fellows Manager
    Acumen Fund Inc, USA

     
  3. Shahid Nasim Says:
  4. Power and Water engineering depts across the country has the same attribute. Niether they 've ability to plan for next decades nor capacity to tackle current challenges. From bottom to top, albeit in perks from their department focus of them lingers on financial gains. Mostly having political backgrounds so very little affected. Either, they should resign from their jobs to allow young generation or abandon fooling people of serving them without any benefit. Socialist Revolution the only solution to this dillema.

     
  5. Anonymous Says:
  6. When promises of government to be materialized. They telling lie people and do not care of hardship people facing. Let us rise against their double standard approach!

     
  7. Wasim Says:
  8. Our stupid leaders under cocoons of various parties confined their own vested interests.At least should they develop a seriousness for region dear.

     

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


VoH
Voice of Voiceless

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

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


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


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


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



Hunza: Naeem Hamoon
Email: naeemhmn@hotmail.com


Gilgit: Aslam Shah

Email: hunzaishah@gmail.com


Islamabad: Ikramullah Baig
Email: hunza_havenonearth@yahoo.com

Voice of the voiceless!

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

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

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

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





Shamsuddin Muhammad,

Author and Editor,

VoH



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About Me

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

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