Inter district postings of GBPWD officials postponed; new transfer summery underway
Special Report
GILGIT, November 13: As per directions issued from Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan secretariat, the postings of Gilgit Baltistan Power and Works department (GBPWD) has been postponed following the discloser of the details ahead of announcement. According to the sources, a list of officials including executive engineers and senior Senior District Officers ( SDOs) ready for notification was disclosed beforehand. Consequently, chief minister expressing his disapproval has anuled the schedule. It is said that mr. Shah has directed concerned department to keep the merit in view while implementing transfer process. " The new inter-district transfer list would be declared soon," sources said.



Unscheduled load shedding in Gilgit-Resident of Jotial protests against energy crisis VoH Report
GILGIT, November 11:(Shehzad Ali) Hundreds of protectors took to the street against frequent power failure and fluctuations in voltage that caused putting electronics and electrical appliances out of order in Gilgit city in general and the Jutial area particular. According to the sources, hundreds of protectors marched from Helipad and finally assembled at Lalik Jan Shaheed stadium to record protest against incompetency of power department, a subsidiary organ of Gilgit-Baltistan Works and Power department. Protectors ablaze or burnt tires and blocked traffic to for several hours cuasing hurdles for inter city commuters. Talking to voice of Hunza, an official on conditions of annonymity told that lack of funds and advance appropriation has led to the situation where there exist no remedy for many years. "With expansion in city's size and population needs, the rising demand and accumulated depreciation in power generating plants have caused to create shorfall several times every area," he added.






Iqbal Day celebrated in Gilgit-Baltistan; speakers paid tribute for his work in Philosophy, literature and freedom moment of Pakitan
VoH Report
GILGIT, November 10: The 75th anniversary of doctor Allamma Muhammad Iqbal was held with tradtional zeal and ferver. Public, political, academic and social circles arranged attractive programmes where speakers threw light on the contibution made by him in his life for a just society especially for his guidance to freedom struggle for a separate country. Iqbal, architect of idea of seprate Muslim nation state is given due importance and regard and day normally obasved as public holiday across the country.







Work on 250 billion medical college project to start in March 2011; project completion deadline kept five years
VoH Report
GILGIT, November 9: According to the planning department sources, work on construction of 250 billion project of first ever medical college is expected to start by next march. As per Chief Minister house declaration, project will be completed within next five years. All necessary arrangements have entered final phase and summary is expected to get approval formally from federal government by next month.
Sources further said that tender notice will be announced in the first week of January and in first phase, five million ruppee will be kept to initiate development project.

Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on Sunday
1 comments
categories: | | edit post

Little out comes of relief packages-Flood affectees faces hurdles achieve wattan cards; arrangement of mere a single registration outlet intriguing: Affectees
Bureau Report
HUNZA, Aliabad, Nov 14: Flood affectees continue to suffer in achieving recently announced Wattan card facility in Hunza-Nagar district. According to the details,Wattan Card scheme was initiated three days earlier by Finance Minsiter Mohammad Ali Akhtar to facilitate affectees who lost their properties during torrential floods in the district is proved an exhaustive effort rather than a facility. Top officials of local and political administration had ensured on the occasion of innugural session to keep the process simple. Yet, rectification of domicile of Hunza-Nagar district for applicants to the scheme has created a new issue for their national identity cards bear Gilgit district as their permanent residential reference.
Affectees of Lower Nagar: Minapin, Jafarabad, Gulmit, Iskandarabad and Chalt were facing difficulties as they have to pay higher travel charges amidst shortage of petroleum products across the district." This is our second day and no one was here to hear us," said Shahban Ali, a resident of Buladas Nagar. " Arrangement of just one outlet for registration porocess was intrguing," he added.



Hunza, Aliabad: Flood affectees of Hunza and Nagar are waiting outside NADRA registration office for their turn to get their names register in Hunza-Nagar district category. According to affectees they have to travel long distance of mere change of district. VoH Photo

It is pertinent to say here that despite of passing of two and half years, Gilgit-Baltistan government reluctant to complete departmentalization in the Hunza-Nagar district taking things to worse as local government machinery assumes its self unable to dispense its duties. Affectees have demanded of Gilgit-Baltistan authorities to open an additional outlet for registration at Iskandarabad, lower Nagar to facilitate the process. Courtesy: Gilgit-Baltistan Echo





Wedding season on peak;Public opt for economy
VoH Report
Hunza-Nagar, November 11: Hunza-Nagar is assumed as cradle of the Brosho, Shin and Balti culture and population is said spreaded gradually to other areas of the region including Ladakh , Kargil, Chitral, Kalash,Azad Kashmir and Sri Nagar.

According to Mohammad Shifa, an eminent regional historian Brosho and Yaskin has the same origin yet former merged into Shin with passage of time in Gilgit and outskirts while Balti remained a dominant language of Ghanche and Baltistan. According to some historians, Brosho tribe first appeared aroung 3000 ago. Yet, they started to settle too later. Currently, three major languages are spoken: Brushaski in Central Hunza, Upper, Lower Nagar' Wakhi in Upper Hunza called Gojal; and third Shina in Lower Hunza and Nagar with major components alike. The three languages share many common elements due to coexistance for many centries.

Hunza: A newly wedded couple is heading to bride house. Photo by: Shams

Today, the evolving term cultural diversity has strengthened the attitude of mutual respect and recognition of cultural heritage. Furthermore, resultant factor can be observed in terms of rising inter-marriage tendencies strengthening the bonding among these entities.
Wedding sessions in Hunza-Nagar starts in the mid of October and continue by the end of December every year. Constant rise in cost for arrangment of such events have also served to bring impact on expenditure as families now tend to find economy to fulfill the obligation.







Wattan card scheme aims to compensate property loss during rains, collaborative efforts with private sector to address the needs in time; implementation of taxes under consideration: Muhammad Ali Akhtar
VoH Report
HUNZA, Aliabad, November 09: Wattan Card scheme was aimed to compensate loss to the properties of affected families during recent rains. These views were expressed by finance minister GB council Muhammad Ali Akhtar after inaugural session of the Wattan card scheme. Talking to voice of Hunza, Mr. Ali said that PPP government is trying its best to get the people from trouble in the wake of natural calamities.
He said that it was the PPP's led government that give importance to farmer class saying his government has potential to facilitate working class though effective packages aims to stabilize prices of their crops. He said that every government used to make promises and most of them remain either half fulfilled either due to lack of financial resources or other hindrance."Despite of high budget deficit, the contemporary government will continue to facilitate common man," he added.

Hunza, Aliabad: Finance Minister gives away wattan cards to inaugurate the scheme to compensate flood affectees in Central, Lower areas of Hunza-Nagar district. Zafar Waqar Taj, DC Hunza-Nagar also present on occasion. Photos by Shams

Mr. Akhtar appraised Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hunza-Nagar Zafar Waqar Taj for his dedication saying such persons were our real assets. He said that GB council is considering over the move of the government to impose taxes to cover the cost accumulated due to flood relief operations saying any decision will be taken keeping interest of common man.






Hunza-Nagar to mark Iqbal day; holday announced, special programs to shed light on his accomplishments
VoH Report
Hunza-Nagar, Nov.09: Like other parts of the country as well as Gilgit-Baltistan , Iqbal day would be celebrated on Tuesday to commemorate the genius and poet of East. Speacial programmes have been arranged by acadmic circles to pay him tribute for his accomplishment in his domain and discipline. Such a programme would be held on today at Dawn Public School, Hyderabad coupled with cultural programme. According to a notification recieved from district education directorate, Hunza-Nagar on Wednesday, all educational institutions would remain close to give respect to the day.
Doctor Alamma Muhammad Iqbal, also known as poet of East wrote many masterpieces including Khudi (Self-conciousness), mind blowing letters to his son Javed, poems that reflect his due regard and love for his nation.

Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on
2 comments
categories: | | edit post

Talking to local media men, finance minister Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet and member Gilgit Balitistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) has said that contemporary government is trying to learn lessons from its mistakes which according to him was done due to least monitoring of the personnel involved in rendering services to masses and frequent natural disasters that cause a burden on national exchequer.

Finance Minister GBLA cabinet says PPP led coalition government at center and region is doing its best to uplift standard of living. Perhaps, what is being done with Hunza-Nagar district might still not have come under our public representatives' observation. VoH Photo

What the finance minister was saying is a good indication that governance can not be achieved through mere speeches and slogans rather it needs a strong will and commitment to bring any tangible change in both standard of living though socio-economic uplifting initiatives to eradicate poverty-the mother of all evils, patronizing small medium business ventures, social justice and equal, opportunity, fair treatment and equal implementation of law as well as recognition. It is equally true that a drastic development in these areas is a difficult job especially in regional context.Yet, state is the supreme authority to do and in this case, it can play its positive role in collaboration with private sector through few mega projects to reduce unemployment and rise in poverty rate. In order to get a long term sustainable growth rate where Gilgit-Baltistan could stand partially on income generated from such projects in the field of tourism, hotel industry, mining and packaging industry. Even some of the successful organizations are now resorting to down and right sizing and insufficient arrangements to absorb educated products coming out from universities, professional colleges and institute may pose the country with anther dillema-that is rise in crime rate across the country for lack of opportunities would lead even potential youth to earn their livings by any means. It can be expected that Gilgit Baltistan government would give this issue priority to ensure opportunities, rule of meritocracy, elimination of nepotism, peace and prosperity -a prerequisite for healthy society.


Editor

Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on
3 comments
categories: | | edit post


U.S. Fears That Pakistan Aid Will Feed Graft
VoH News Watch desk

ISLAMABAD, November 14: (Online) As American lawmakers move toward passage of the aid legislation, the administration knows it must get quick results from the increased assistance or face potential Congressional cutbacks down the road in a program envisioned to cost $1.5 billion every year for the next five years. “We’re struggling over how much cash to give to the government,” said a senior American official involved in the planning, who declined to be named according to diplomatic custom.
The overhaul of American assistance, led by the State Department, comes amid increased urgency about an economic crisis that is intensifying social unrest in Pakistan, and about the willingness of the government there to sustain its fight against a raging insurgency in the northwest. It follows an assessment within the Obama administration that the amount of nonmilitary aid to the country in the past few years was inadequate and favored American contractors rather than Pakistani recipients, according to several of the American officials involved. American officials say the main goals of the new assistance will be to shore up the crumbling Pakistani state by building infrastructure like roads and power plants, and to improve the standing of the United States with the Pakistani people.
In return, the Obama administration expects Pakistan to keep up the fight against Islamic militants, though there are worries that the effort will turn out to be a short-term spurt overtaken by Pakistan’s preoccupation with its archrival, India.






Some PCCR members averse to review 18th Amendment
Monitoring Report
ISLAMABAD, November 13: The review of appointment mechanism for judges in superior courts in the light of the interim order of Supreme Court of Pakistan would not be an easy task for the Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) as some of the members of the committee were of the view that they had accepted the 18th Amendment as a whole and any fragmented change in it would not be acceptable to them.
The PCCR under the chairmanship of Senator Mian Raza Rabbani had a couple of sessions and now it would again meet on Nov 23 to take up the recommendations sent to the Parliament by the apex court along with the interim order to bring about changes in the appointment criterion of judges in the superior judiciary.
Sources in the committee informed that some of the members of the committee belonging to smaller provinces had tried to bring other matters under discussion but the chairman of the committee, in categorical terms, had made it clear that they were only mandated to confine their discussion and debate to Article 275-A dealing with the appointment criteria of judges and added that bringing in other matters under discussion would open up Pandora’s box, The Nation reports.





CID office blast kills 20 in Karachi;Explosive-laden truck blows up inside department’s head office located in red zone; Police says incident reaction of arrest of terrorist affiliated with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
By Faraz Khan and Atif Raza
VoH Monitoring

KARACHI, Nov.13: At least 20 persons were killed and over one hundred injured, some critically, when an explosive-laden truck blew up inside the head office of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), which is located inside the main red zone of the city, on Thursday night, destroying everything around it and completely destroying the building.
The intensity of the blast was so severe that it was heard in a 15-kilometre radius, destroying many of the high rises and shanty settlements in its path. The blast left a 10 to 15 feet wide crater at the spot. According to bomb disposal experts around 1,000kg explosive was used in the blast filling the entire area with smoke.
Witnesses and police said the building collapsed trapping people under the rubble. The red zone also include the CM House, Governor House, Qaiser Naz, three luxury hotels, the US Consulate and government offices. City Police Chief Fayyaz Laghari told Daily Times that a truck loaded with explosives managed to penetrate the security checkpoints of the CID operation’s office after an intense exchange of fire. The police chief termed the incident a reaction to arrest of terrorist affiliated with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi that the CID made the day before (Wednesday). The gunmen first resorted to heavy firing on the office of the CID before detonating a massive explosive-laden truck, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza told journalists at the site of explosion. He said that the blast was similar to the blast at the Marriott in Islamabad.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khattak told journalists that a truck bearing a Peshawar registration number reached the main gate of the CID building, where at least 20 suspects came out from the truck and started firing for at least 10 minutes. Later, they threw crackers inside the CID building, killing the security guards deployed at the main gate.The provincial police chief said the terrorists later entered the premises of the building and detonated the vehicle. He said that due to the blast, the residential area around the CID office was also severely damaged. The IG could not confirm whether any of the attackers had died in the explosion, but said that senior officials of the CID managed to survive the incident.
The building has a detention facility that was believed to be holding criminals and possible militants. “We heard different rounds of firing for several minutes and then a deafening explosion,” said a witness covered in dust. “The roof of our house collapsed.” A police constable, who survived the attack, said the entire operation was so swift that the police had no time to react. “The terrorists blew their truck by the time we reached our guns to fight them off,” he said without giving his name.Ambulances and rescue teams rushed to the blast site and shifted the bodies and injured to the Jinnah and civil hospitals, where an emergency has been declared. Heavy earth moving machines have been called to remove the debris and search for possible survivors. Daily Times







Allama Iqbal Day being celebrated across Pakistan, AJK
VoH News watch
ISLAMABAD, Nov.09: The 133rd birthday anniversary of the Poet of the East, Doctor Allama Mohammed Iqbal would be observed today (Tuesday) with traditional zeal and fervour. The day has been declared as a public holiday throughout the country. Special programmers chalked out to observe this day. On the day, the speakers would pay glowing homage to Allama Iqbal and newspapers would publish special editions and TV channels would telecast special program relating to the life and achievements of Allama Iqbal.
National flag will be hoisted on all principal government buildings. There will be special exhibition of books and relics at Iqbal Museum Lahore, National Museum Karachi and Iqbal Manzil Sialkot.
Cinema Houses will make special arrangements to screen documentary films on Iqbal’s life. The academy of Lahore will arrange a book exhibition on this day. The traditional ceremony of change of guards will also take place on the mazaar. Allama Iqbal, a poet, great legislature of subcontinent and important personality of Pakistan movement who gave the awareness message of “ Lab pe aati hai dua’a ban ke tamanna meri. “ to the nation, was born on November 9, 1877 in Sialkot. He was Sufi poet of the modern age. He aroused revolutionary spirit in the nation through his poetry. Sophism and Islamic touch are prominent of his poetry. His poetry has been translated in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, English and several other languages and he is considered a great philosopher all over the world. As a great politician, his great achievement was to think of the ideology of Pakistan, which later became the base of independence of Pakistan. Unfortunately, he could not see the independence of Pakistan and died on April 21, 1938. A Pakistan News






Two soldiers ‘train’ guns at minister
By Raja Asghar
Voice of Hunza Monitor
ISLAMABAD, November 09: Chaudhry Nisar said he saw “a lot of military activity” on the avenue at the time, giving him the impression that “some four-star general” was coming to meet either the president or the Prime Minister.


ISLAMABAD, Nov. 09: The National Assembly appeared shocked to hear from opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday that two soldiers had insulted a federal minister in his flag-bearing car earlier in the day by training their guns at him at a checkpoint near parliament when a four-star general too was in the area. The government acknowledged that this “serious” incident had happened, which Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Naveed Qamar said would be taken up with “appropriate authorities”. Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, chairing the proceedings at the time, called for a report about what he called an incident of “highhandedness” before the house concludes its current session after four days.
But neither of the three men who spoke about the matter identified the minister involved in the incident, which the opposition leader said happened some time in the afternoon, when he also drove around 2pm through the Constitution Avenue, on which the Parliament House is located and where one of the checkpoints normally manned by police checks vehicles going towards the Parliament House as well as the nearby presidency and the Prime Minister’s House. Also none of them named the general for whom troops came to control traffic, although Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday afternoon. Chaudhry Nisar said he saw “a lot of military activity” on the avenue at the time, giving him the impression that “some four-star general” was coming to meet either the president or Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and that he was informed by some witnesses later on coming to his office in parliament about a minister’s car flying the national flag having been stopped along with other cars by two soldiers “carrying bandooks (rifles)” and controlling traffic at the checkpoint instead of police. "The soldiers did not have the courtesy to salute the national flag… which is the duty of every uniformed Pakistani,” he said.
“The matter did not end there,” he said, and added that when the driver of the minister — who too he thought was heading towards the presidency or the prime minister’s house — “tried to move his car forward, the two soldiers trained their guns” (towards the inmates). “Is it the national army or an individual’s army,” the opposition leader asked and stressed the troops had no business to assume police job. “If they stop me tomorrow, I will not stop.” The army would enjoy the nation’s respect only if it complied with its constitutional duty of defending the borders, Chaudhry Nisar said, drawing cheers from his PML-N colleagues as well many PPP members. Dawn News


Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on
0 comments
categories: | | edit post

Mother child week drive-District health Office arranges one day work shop, special walk to create public awareness
By: Shamsuddin Muhammad
VoH Report
HUNZA, Aliabad Nov. 07. District health Office arranged one day work shop,and a special walk to create more awareness about the mother-child health issues here in a local college and school on Saturday morning.

















From left above: Students of HPSC, Aliabbad; Right (above) District Health Officer Hunza-Nagar Dr. M. Iqbal is speaking to audience.



















Left(Above) Students and other particpants from civil society organizations listening carefully to the Medical officer Karimabad civil hospital , president Ismaili . Khawaja Khan during workshop's introductory session.

















Ms. Parveen, assistan regional coordinator Mother-Child health is presenting her views during of the workshop session.

The event was attended by District Health
Officer Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, SSP Hunza-Nagar Mohammmad Yousuf, Assistant commissioner Hunza Momin Jan, Dr. Khawaja Khan president Isamili regional Council, Health Officer Karimabad civil hospital Dr. Aslam Khan, and health officer female hospital wing, Karimabad Dr.Perveen, government officials and members of civil society. The programme started with inaugural session in premises of Hunza Public School and College, Aliabad at 10:00 AM.
















Partcipants listening to the word of thanks by Principal HPSC, Aliabad for the informative workshop for chosing premises of the institution for an informative workshop.



Speaking at the
occasion, DHO Hunza-Nagar doctor Mohammad Iqbal said in spite of financial constraints, the district health office has embark on a mission to educate mothers to their responsibilities towards new born babies, precautions and cure in case of any medical problem by disseminating related information from school and college level. He emphasized female students to discuss the pre-requisites to the mothers before and after delivery. He said that such a programme was already conducted six months earlier saying this another programme will bring more awareness to the people with respect to the health care of mother and her child. He claimed that 75 percent mothers get non-balance diet; only 47% new born babies were immunized fully while mortality rate still lies at 48% due to mal-nutrition, lack of safe drinking and hygiene matters across the country. He further said that the district health office will make efforts to get accustom mothers breast feeding and easy access to medical facility both in normal and emergency conditions. " Like the rest of the country, a major reason for high mortality rate i.e.38% was due to mal-nutrition, iodine deficiency and lack of safe drinking water," he added.

HUNZA, Aliabad: Participants of awareness walk passing through a street. Photo by: Shams

Ms. Parveen, assistant district coordinator Mother-Child health
said that Pakistan was one of the country where a large number of children and mothers face health issues saying a higher mortality rate implies for constant care to these two important components of every one's family. Other speakers insisted participants to pass on information in public so that most of the public would able to benefit from health facilities currently available under such initiatives to create a healthy society.






APMLGB holds inaugural procession, pushes membership drive; a section of nationalists strengthening cause by coming under one umbrella to get rights from federation: Speakers
VoH Report
HUNZA, Alibad, Nov.07: All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Gilgit-Baltisan chapter held its innugural procession to drive the membership campaign from Hunza-Nagar district on Sunday noon, here at Aliabad. Speakers in their speeches highlighted former president Gen. (ret) Pervez Musharraf's special attention to Gilgit-Baltistan region.















Speaking to the ocasion, Karim Khan (K.K) said that after a long struggle under nationalist umbrella he and his comrades now opt for APML to get their rights accepted from federation. Mohammad Shifa, a well known historian said that our forefathers liberated Gilgit-Baltistan to gain self decision making power saying both GB and AJK was, is and will be a slave territory if it continue to hasitate to demand for complete political and administrative rights. Particpants and regional leaders of party hailing from Diamer, Baltistan and Ghizer presented traditional dance on folk tunes.

Manzoor Hussain, senior leader APML said that no other than Pervez Musharraf brought real reforms saying current government was just imitating the former governments under Vail to gain credit before masses.

Hunza: Famous artist and comedy king Mr. Yaqoob Baig of Hyderabad in action.
Photo by: Shams

Ijlal president APML Hunza-Nagar chapter called on youth to join the party to join hands to struggle agains injustice to the population of this backward area.








People of Hunza celebrate Independence day; Kashmiri leadership came on fire for their illegitimate claim on region
VoH Report
HUNZA-NAGAR, Nov.02: Like other parts of Gilgit Baltistan, people of Hunza also celebrated Independence day to pay tribute to the martyr heroes and war veteran in a public gathering here at Aliabad arranged to celebrate 43rd independence day. A large number of government officials, students, political, social and developmental activists and other civil society members participated in flag hoisting ceremony. Speakers on the occasion shed light on the valor of the war veteran from Gilgit-Baltistan in general and leading figures from Hunza, saying these were their sacrifices which enabled us live independently.

HUNZA: Celebrating explicitly- Two special persons are dancing at a local folk tune ( Danie) here on a street at Aliabad to celebrate second independence day this year. Photo by:Shamsuddin Muhammad

Speakers placed greater emphasis to get themselves ready to play their vital role for the development of area. They slammed Kashmiri leadership for creating hurdles in the socio-economic and political empowerment reforms on baseless claims of GB being their integral part. Speakers urged intelligentsia to play their role to reduce influence of alien forces that strive to subjugate and deprive people of the region from their rights.





Happy Independance day (Jashan-e-Azadi Mubarak) of Gilgit-Baltistan
V
oH
Hunza-Nagar, Nov.01: The team of VoH say all our readers happy sixty third Independence day of Gilgit-Baltistan. We pay our tribute to the sacrifices of the war heroes and veterans made remarkable efforts to liberate more than 70,332 square kilometer (appox 28,000 square miles ) scratched region from the shackles of the Dogra in 1948 enabling next generations to breath in open and an open air.


Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on Tuesday
1 comments
categories: , | | edit post

Exclusion of GB for council sectratate vacancies against our expectations, actions to be taken behind the act: Amjad Hussain
Bureau Report
GILGIT, November 06: Exclusion of GB for newly created council Secretariat positions was against our expectations and any such move would lead our resistance. These view were expressed by Amjad Hussain,chairman standing committee while talking to GilgitBaltistan Echo via telephone on Saturday afternoon. He said that refusal to applicants and preference to those from other provinces like Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa (KPK), and Sindh would be a tangible proof to deprive people of GB from equal opportunity option. He said that it was right of the suitable candidates from the region to have a chance to serve for their own region. " Instead of procurement from other provinces, locals should be given priority for indigenous people have natural belongingness with the region while outsiders have only concern with their salaries alone," he added.
Read full on: www.gbecho.blogspot.com






Voilation of basic rights, good governance-applications for the positions in GB secretariate council sought from other provinces
VoH Report
ISLAMBAD, November 04: (Noor Khan) According to the media reports, GB Provincial service commission has announced positions for Council Secretariat to implement self rule and empowerment order 2009. The advertisement gave preference to non-locals viz candidates from KPK, Punjab, Sindh, Ajk and rests. This has created disgust among educated youth in GB. Media sources claim that there was little response on part of intelligentsia from the region except those having eyes on the affairs being done in a wrong manner at various levels.





Independance day celebrated across Gilgit-Baltistan; homage paid to sacrifices of martyrs, veterns in war against Dogra
VoH Report
GILGIT, Novemeber 01: People of Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated liberation day to mark the revolt by the regional war vaterns who finally succeeded to get free around 28000 square Kilometer area in the region in 1947 from dogra clutches.

GILGIT: A banner hanged in Khomer Jutial vicinity in Gilgit city reads " happy 1st November's Gilgit-Baltistan independence day. Photo by: Shams

Though the region enjoyed partial freedom as it destined to affiliate with another state by few non-representitive elements under secret Karachi
treatise. Monoments have been constructed in various palces both in Skardu and Gilgit to pay a commulative tribute to all those participated in the war of independence. Chinar Bagh Yadgar (monument) is one of the reminder of liberation where a fierce battle was fought and in which dozens of soldiers of Gilgit Scouts were died. The first martyr in this revolt was Amir Khan, a soldier from Hunza.
People of this region interestingly observe independence twice : One on 14 august (which is taken for granted) while second November 01 every year. Where our forefathers got the land liberated from a cruel monarchy, it plunged into another dilemma of hatred among masses based on faith, language and area gradually. In real sense, our journey for which our forefathers got independence still away from our sight. Such a recognition necessitates resilience and persistancy, mutual respect and care which the people of this region lacking. Civil society organizations organized special programs where in speakers paid due tribute to the martyrs of the liberation. A special walk was arranged by nationalist parties from Chinar bagh chowk which finally assembled at Gari Bagh. Spearkes paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the liberation war and emphasized new generation to get acquaintance to the valour or their forefathers.






GB govt sanctions 2400 vacancies in the region; transparency in sellection a big question
RDs Time
GILGIT, October 31: Gilgit-Baltistan government has finally planned to fill the vacancies in Education, health, civil administration, live stock, civil supply, and works and power departments. According to the media sources, a meeting headed by Chief secretary, the secretaries of all departments agreed to fill the vacancies and proposed representitive government to facilitate the move. During meeting, respective secrateries briefed participants that around 355 vacancies were lying vacant in Power and Works department, 305 in education, 252 in police, 52 in live stock and fisheries, 115 at CM sectratriate and governor house.
More than 300 positions are said to be filled in nescent Hunza-Nagar district. Public circles express their dissatisfaction over the method and system of recruitment test and interviews. In most of the cases nepotism and other irregularities caused to irritate potential youth to enter in good jobs. It will be a test of regional government that how for it ensure supermacy of meritocracy. For more, please log on: rdstime.blogspot.com

Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on
2 comments
categories: , , | | edit post

Voice of Hunza
Freedom of thought, expression, moment and acceptance are considered as the most precious gift of nature within the parameter supreme law of state permits to ensure his well being coupled with social ethics to an extent that neither harm one nor that heart other in the society is increasingly becoming indispensable component of human rights to the creatures on earth. Nations that respect freedom by protecting the collective cause, paying tribute to those who rendered sacrifices to enable the next generations to breath in an open air not only get prosper internally but also enjoy and retain external recognition. People of Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated independence day on November 01 with favor and zeal as usual across the region every year. Dogra dynasty that ruled the region for centuries were made to escape first from Gilgit and then outskirts by some of the Senior Commissioned Officials and Junior commissioned officials (soldiers) through a mutiny with local public support. These war heroes among whom Colonel Hassan Khan, the then commandant Gilgit scout grassion, Captain Babar Khan commander of a unit in the same malaysia, JCOs like Subedar Safiullah Baig and his comrades fought bravely with fewer ammunition to get around 70,332 square kilometer or appox 28,000 square miles scratched region from the shackles of the Dogra in 1948.
Tragically,within few days of liberation GB region Pakistan annexed it under a secret Karachi treaty signed by few hidden hands unconditionally, ignoring the will of inhabitants. The then dexterous political agents made innocent people of the area believe that affiliation would lead to regional fraternity and gradual socio-economic and political autonomy. Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his colmpanions who are regarded as father of nation had no role in struggle for liberation of this comparatively week and isolated region during and after age of imperialism when European powers namely UK, Portuguese, French, and Dutch colonized areas experiencing mutual discords and respect among selfish small entities right from the fall of great Mughals when Indo-Pakistan came under direct contol of British following the defeat of battle of Palasy.
British kept efforts bolster their presence indirectly during and even after world war-2 when colonial pursuits got a major setback due to financial burden against Nazi alied forces. Though, Dogra rulers remained rulers of Kashmir and GB territory, yet indeginous population never accepted it from heart as a result they waited for a suitable time to get liberation and finnaly time came when a well planned military mutiny forced maharaja's sikh forces to flee the region. It is said that British kept hand over maharaja to check any possible advancement from Tsarist Russia and Chinese influence. Nevertheless, decisive struggle on part of Gilgit scout war veterns resulted into liberation of area currently under the administrative control of Islamabad. Our forefathers ceded this region to Pakistan and in return what the next generations during more than six decades have got is a big question to policy planners of the country.
When people of GB got liberated GB region right from Ladakh to Khunjrab following a bloody mutiny, though local support with little ammunition form Dora ruler in 1948. The area latter got affiliated with Pakistan under secret treaty signed by few unknown representitives of the area having little role in liberation and the then government under the category of disputed territory in accordance with UN charter resolutions.
We are strange for two reasons in world community, the first, we celebrate our independance twice a year equally with traditional zeal and secondly, despite of now identity satisfy with the so
called packages given by federal government to calm the voices for complete autonomy within the parameters of federation. Public gatherings, mushairaas and sports events are arranged every year to pay tribute to the martyrs and veterns of the mutiny with little focus over what was the reason of liberation and desire for affiliation. Logically, people have nothing to do with the affiliation rather, what has been important has been taken varilly. Given the affiliation as disputed territory, public circles have had raised voice for either a sufficient autonomy or an independant set up to govern the region on AJK pattern. Yet, for unknown reasons, Islamabad proved least flexible to empower area on real terms. During last more than six decaes Pakisani politicians especially the rulers in capital tried to mislead both regional, national and international community of empowering region with ordinances that least benefit the majority poor class.
GB got limelight during a former dictator Musharraf's reign while democratic regimes kept on lying with people of reforms which aimed to benefit upper classes. People of this region have had proved loyal and did not created any threat that may danger the integrity for few reasons. One their faith that the things would go from worse to good , secondly, they have pledged to respect co-existance and thirdly their tradition to honor the words their forefathers made with Pakistan. Legacy of mutual discord that currently pervades region in terms of sectranism since late 80s and short sightedness on part of regional leadership that lack any strategic vision has weakened the cause to appear poeple on country as dignified nation.
We would like to urge the policy makers to bring a real change by giving GB seocio-economic empowerment through long term plans via establishment of sustainable industry, patronizing existing hotle and tourism industry, bringing transparency into recruitment and sellection procedures and replacing traditional methods with rotten traditional one where telent, knowledge and skills gains littel recongnition. As for as intoduction of jems, stone cutting and cenment manufecturing ventures may prove fruitful as presence of running water would help generate hydro power at a very low cost. What the thing is needed is the will of any democractic government to give impetus to such a development at grass root level that is expected to transform mountain communities into sustainble entities.



Editor

Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on
4 comments
categories: | | edit post




IMF links $1.7bn tranche with RGST;; Asks Pakistan to introduce tax bill in NA, provincial assemblies
By Sajid Chaudhry
Monitoring Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 07: An International Monetary Fund mission visiting Pakistan linked the possible release of the $1.7 billion tranche – under the $11.3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA) – with at least the introduction of the Reformed General Sales Tax bill in the National Assembly and all provincial assemblies before the fund’s Executive Board meeting, a senior official at the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday.
The IMF mission, that was supposed to conclude its talks with Pakistan’s economic managers on Wednesday on the SBA programme, has extended its stay in Pakistan until Friday. The meeting on the IMF programme scheduled on Wednesday could not be held due to the death of a relative of the finance secretary and is expected that the talks would conclude by Friday. The extension in the stay of the IMF mission in Pakistan for another two days was also considered necessary due to a possible breakthrough in reaching an agreement on the RGST between the provinces in the next two days.
Deficit: The IMF has also allowed Pakistani authorities to increase the country’s budget deficit target from four percent of the GDP to 4.7 percent due to additional expenditures on three phases of flood rescue, early recovery and reconstruction. The government has been asked by the IMF mission to keep its actual budget deficit at four percent or pre-flood level and incur flood-related expenditures by 0.7 percent of the GDP to keep the overall budget deficit at 4.7 percent of the GDP until June 2010-11.-Daily Times







Sindh Assembly passes resolution against Transparency International

Monitoring desk
KARACHI, November 01: The Sindh Assembly has passed a unanimous resolution against Transparency International for ranking Pakistan 34th in global corruption index.
The resolution was tabled by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Sharjeel Memon. Transparency International launched a propaganda against the government, provincial minister Muhammad Rafique claimed. On October 26th, Pakistan was ranked 34th on the Transparency International global list of countries perceived to be the most corrupt, worsening by eight places in one year. Pakistani politicians also openly expressed their frustration at the country’s presence on the list through posts on social-networking site, Twitter.The Nation






Distorted priorities?
BY:Sana Saleem
How many of us remember the three-year-old girl who was kidnapped, raped and thrown in a sewer, or the 13-year-old boy from Korangi who was gang-raped on Eid-ul-Fitr last year, or the five-year-old girl who was raped, strangled and later recovered from a garbage dump at a ground in Gizri? According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) Annual Report 2009:
Around 1,404 women murdered, including 647 in the name of ‘honour’. Around 928 women were raped and some 563 committed suicide.” Another survey, conducted by Sahil, an NGO which raises awareness regarding child sexual abuse and exploitation, paints a haunting image: “Out of a total of 1,216 cases reported in six months, 331 boys, whereas 885 girls had been sexually abused, and the percentage of the female cases was 72 per cent as compared to 28 per cent of male cases.”
Rape is grossly under-reported in Pakistan. The culture of silence and shame has been one of the biggest hurdles victims face. It is then a pity that the few, who choose to overlook cultural barriers and gather the courage to come forth, are forced to go through the ordeal for years before justice is served. In most instances, alleged rapists are acquitted due to loopholes in our judicial system, while sometimes the victims are pressurised to withdraw their case. The role of police in such cases has been extremely notorious. For instance, take the case of a 10-year-old boy from Lahore; despite medico-legal reports proving rape had occurred, the police was reluctant to file an FIR against the accused pedophile.
In Khipro, a student of class X was given sedatives and gang-raped but her ordeal wasn’t over. The heinous crime was filmed via a mobile phone camera and the video posted on various websites. In the aftermath of the incident, parents of more than 100,000 students have stopped their daughters from attending schools and colleges. Even more shocking are reports of an alleged gang of blackmailers comprising boys and girls, from ‘respectable’ families, who have exually assaulted girls, recorded videos of the victims and used it to blackmail the victim’s parent or posted it on the Internet. What kind of people would commit such an atrocious crime, film it and upload the videos on the Internet is beyond me. Unfortunately, this is not new phenomenon, such incidences have been reported before. In March 2009, a teenage boy was gang-raped in police custody and the footage distributed over the Internet. Child porn continues to be accessed throughout Pakistan and now, rape videos have also joined the league yet we see no outrage by these ‘upholders of morals and justice.’ The lack of coverage and public outrage at such incidents is extremely disturbing and worrisome.
But then our priorities have been distorted for quite sometime. It is a pity that we live in a country where hundreds will march on the streets, calling for an all out ban on social media platforms because of an isolated incident, while horrifying stories of abuse do not merit our anger. If alarming figures from the HRCP reports and the increasing incidences of rape and abuse of women and children does not bring us back to our senses, I don’t know what will.


Sana Saleem is a Features Editor at BEE magazine and blogs at lobal Voices, Asian Correspondent and her personal blog Mystified Justice. She recently won the Best Activist Blogger award by CIO & Google at the Pakistan Blogger Awards. She can be found on Facebook and tweets at twitter.com/sanasaleem. Courtesy: Dawn Blog







FCA optimistic to cover up crop losses in Rabi season
Mohammed Emran

ISLAMABAD, October 31: Ninety third meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) noted a drastic decline in estimated production of Kharif Crops, while fixing targets it observed favorable conditions for the Rabi Crops 2010-11 and expected to meet the shortage caused by recent deluge.The meeting on Monday was chaired by Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture and attended by Ali Ahmed Aulakh, Minister for Agriculture Punjab and Secretaries of Provincial Agriculture Departments, AJK and other high officials of various attached departments were present in the meeting.
The meeting while taking decisions reviewed the status of production of Kharif Crops 2010-11 (Cotton, Rice, Sugarcane etc), losses from the flood, meteorological conditions, irrigation water availability, agricultural inputs status (Agricultural credit, Machinery, Fertilizers, Seeds, Pesticides etc.) and crop targets for the Rabi crops (wheat, gram, lentil etc.) 2010-11 were fixed.
The committee also reviewed crop losses due to flood during 2010 to cotton, sugarcane, paddy and other crops were estimated at Rs.281.633 billion. Government took reasonable steps to support farming communities in the farm of Watan Cards, financial support @ Rs.2400/acre up to limit of 12.5 acres and subsidy on the interest of agriculture loan @ 8% up to limit of 25 acres. The meeting observed that the latest cotton production estimates show 11 million bales against the targets of 14 million bales for the year 2010-11 with the domestic requirement of 15 million bales. The "Cotton Crop Assessment Committee" was directed to meet immediately to revisit and finalize the first estimates in view of present arrivals.
Rice production estimates for the year 2010-11 were 5.95 million tons against the target of 6.18 million tons and against the domestic requirement of 2.5 million tones.The provinces informed that due to flood two million tons of Coarse and fine varieties may not be available and their production may fall to 4.2 million tons. To further clarify about 1.8 million tons of coarse rice and about two million of fine rice was affected due to flood. Sugarcane: production estimates for the year 2010-11 were set at 54 million tons against the target of 53.69 million tons. -The Post

Read More
Posted by Shamsuddin Muhammad on

Monitoring every regional historical development

Monitoring every regional historical  development
Click above to visit blog

Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan

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

SRs Times

SRs Times
Click on above picture to know....

World in Focus-Top News

Valleys with invaluable natural beauty

Valleys with invaluable natural beauty
Gift of Nature

Click to read unheard regional stories

Click to read unheard regional stories
GBEcho

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



BLOG VISITORS

free counters

About Me

My photo
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.

Labels