Sunni Ittehad ‘long march’ reaches Data Darbar
VoH News Watch
LAHORE, Nov. 29: Participants of the ‘Save Pakistan Long March’, launched in protest against terror attacks on shrines, safely reached Data Darbar here on Sunday night.The march organized by some groups belonging to the Barelvi school of thought under the umbrella of Sunni Ittehad Council set off for Lahore from the Bari Imam shrine in Islamabad on Saturday and after passing through Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala, terminated at its destination peacefully.
The participation in the car rally, however, was not very high because the Punjab government had detained scores of religious leaders on Saturday.In Rawalpindi, police barricaded the Grand Trunk Road and fought a ‘brick battle’ with activists before allowing them to proceed towards Lahore.However, the rally participants did not face hurdles during the rest of the journey and were given receptions in almost every town and city on the way. Strict security measures were taken to meet any eventuality.
In Lahore, police cordoned off Hazrat Ali Hajveri’s mausoleum, known popularly as Data Darbar, at 3pm and traffic on roads leading to it was blocked. At least 1,000 security personnel were deputed around the shrine.The protesters were asked to get off their vehicles when they reached Azadi Chowk and requested to go to Data Darbar on foot.However, MNA Fazl Karim, former federal minister Haji Hanif Tayyab and Sunni Tehrik’s Sarwat Ijaz Qadri were allowed to go to Data Darbar on their vehicles. Outside the shrine, the Ulema delivered short speeches vowing to oppose those creating lawlessness in the name of Jihad. They also pledged to resist repeal of the blasphemy law. share save 120 16 Sunni Ittehad ‘long march’ reaches Data Darbar. Courtesy: Dawn




Pakistan Christian Congress Files Petition in UN to release Asia Bibi
Monitoring Report
New York: December 2, 2010. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC filed a petition for immediate release of Asia Bibi and repeal of Blasphemy law in Pakistan. Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, was sentenced to death by ADSJ of Nankana on accusation of blasphemy filed in Saddar Police Station on complain of local mosque Imam of village Ittanwali.
In his petition, Dr, Nazir Bhatti have invited attention of Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of United Nation on safety of life of Asia Bibi in Seikhupura jail and submitted dozens of incidents of killing of Christians in police or jail custody who were accused of blasphemy.Nazir Bhatti have feared that Asia Bibi can not have fair trial in Pakistan when Muslim religious groups and Islamic political parties are daily protesting and demanding death for Asia Bibi in public gatherings to pressurize higher courts.Nazir Bhatti have appealed to Mr. Ban Ki-Moon to press upon government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law because its contradictory to Declaration of Universal Human Rights of United Nations on which Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a signatory state.

Here are full content of appeal to UN:

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon,
Secretary General, United Nations,
New York.
Release of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother sentenced to death on accusation of blasphemy and Repeal of Blasphemy Law in Pakistan
His Excellency,
I, the undersigned Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC wish to draw your
kind attention on victimization of Christian under blasphemy law and rising violence against religious minorities in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.The death sentence to Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five children, resident of village Ittanwali, on accusation of blasphemy on November 8, 2010, by Additional District and Session Judge Seikhupura, Mohammad Naveed Iqbal, have sparked wave of fear of life and property among Christians.The blasphemy law in Asia Bibi case was also used to settle petty dispute among Muslim neighbor woman and victim, like hundreds of other blasphemy cases registered in Pakistan from 1988-2010.
According to National Commission on Justice and Peace NCJP, an esteemed establishment of Catholic Church in Pakistan, more than 974 cases have been filed from 1986 to 2009, against individuals of religious minorities under section 295 B and C of Pakistan Penal Code. The Section 295-C of blasphemy law was introduced in the Pakistan Penal Code in 1986. Under this Section, any person guilty of defiling the name of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has made liable to suffer life imprisonment or death. Later, in 1991, instead of life imprisonment, capital punishment was inducted under the direction of the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan.
According to Ahamdi Muslims, who were declared non-Muslim with 4th Amendment in constitution of 1973, of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, more than 250 individuals of Ahmadi Muslims have been charged under Section 295-C PPC from year 1988-2009, in Pakistan. On November 18, 2010, Latif Masih aged 22, was granted bail after five months of imprisonment for "blasphemy" for allegedly burning pages of the Qur'an, was shot dead in Punjab. The Islamic extremists are taking law in their hands and murdering Christians falsely accused in blasphemy in broad day light to win heaven for them. It is on record that radical elements gunned downed Pastor Emmanuel and his brother Sajjid in compound of District Courts Faisalabad, when brought in police escort for hearing in blasphemy case on July 19, 2010. On July 30, 2009, hundreds of members of banned Muslim organizations, torched Christian homes and burned alive seven Christian women and children in Gojra City in Punjab province of Pakistan. The Muslim mob set on fire hundreds of homes and vandalized Churches in village Korian Bahminwali in Punjab on pretext to blasphemy.
On September 16, 2009, Robert Danish, a Christian youth was killed in Sialkot Central Jail in a security cell waiting for trial in a blasphemy case.The Islamic militants gunned down Justice Arif Iqbal Hussain Bhatti of Lahore High Court on October 19, 1997, in his office on acquitting two people who were accused of blasphemy. On June 5, 1994, a blasphemy accused Manzoor Masih died on the spot in front of Lahore High Court when Islamic elements attacked him. Bantu Masih, 80, and Mukhtar Masih, 50, were arrested on the allegation of committing blasphemy and stabbed to death in Police Station in city of Lahore. Tahir Iqbal facing sentence in blasphemy was killed in Lahore Distict Jail on July 7, 1991. A Christian teacher Niamat Ahmar was also killed by Islamic extremists on accusation of blasphemy law.
His Excellency,
The millions of Pakistani Christian fear that Asia Bibi is not safe in Pakistan like many other blasphemy victims gunned down by the hands of religious fanatics. It is noteworthy that Asia Bibi can not have a fair trial in Pakistan when Muslim religious groups and Islamic political parties are holding protest rallies and demanding death for her and pressurizing courts. I must submit reference of an article by one prominent Pakistani Christian Lawyer Naeem Shakir, who terms Article 2, of constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan as: “The religion (Islam) was introduced in the socio-political corpus through an Objectives Resolution, which has served as a preamble to all the three Constitutions of 1956, 1962 and 1973. This resolution, while speaking for Islam, however, in a sixth paragraph, provided that "an adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess and practice their religion and develop their culture". During the military rule of 1977-1987 the Objectives Resolution which was serving as a preamble to the 1973 Constitution was through a Presidential Order made substantive part of the Constitution by incorporation of Article 2-A: While doing so the word "freely" was deliberately deleted from the text. Now it reads as "an adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to profess and practice their religion and develop their culture." It was a deliberate and dishonest act on the part of the military ruler to delete the word "freely". Earlier in the preamble of the Constitution of Pakistan, the word freely was present whereas in the new Article 2-A the word freely was missing. I think this is a singular example of reading history through prejudice. This deliberate deletion later had serious repercussions in our socio-political set-up. It introduced an element of religious extremism in our society. And from that point of time the treatment meted out to the non-Muslims citizens has been very harsh”
His Excellency,
The incidents of abduction and enforced conversions of Christian women and gang rapes have risen in Punjab province of Pakistan. The 90% cases of blasphemy have been registered against Christians, Ahmadi Muslims and other religious minorities in Punjab province where Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz PML(N) rules which legislated capital punishment for Section 295-C PPC, during premiership of its leader Mian Nawaz Sharif. The Muslim mob involved in burning alive 7 Christian women and Children in Gojra is walking free on streets because culprits are voters of PML(N) while Federal Government of Pakistan Peoples Party PPP is silent on injustice towards
minorities because its sharing Punjab government.
There have been armed attacks on Christian worshipers which killed dozens in Churches in Bahawalpur, Chianwali, Karachi, Sukkur, Peshawar, Islamabad and Rawalpindi like Church in Baghdad, Iraq. We had attacks on our institutions in Karachi, Murree and Taxila where Christian social workers were killed but not a single attackers have been brought before justice.Therefore, Pakistani Christians fear their safety of life in Pakistan and government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan have failed to adopt necessary security measure for Christians.

His Excellency,
The implementation of Hadood Ordinance, Law of Evidence and Compensation and blasphemy law have blocked Interfaith Dialogues in Pakistan which is damaging Religious Freedom and spreading hate among religions. The Blasphemy law is contradictory to Universal Declaration of Human Rights of which Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a signatory state in United Nations but denies equal basic democratic rights for religious minorities in its territories. Therefore, we appeal to your honor to press upon government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law and immediately release Asia Bibi.

Thanking you,

Dr. Nazir S Bhatti,
President, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC
Source: Pakistan Chiristain Post







LHC restrains Zardari from pardoning Aasia
Monitoring Desk
LAHORE, November 29: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issuing stay order on President Asif Ali Zardari from pardoning Aasia Bibi in the blasphemy case has summoned the federation and Governor Punjab on Dec 6. The court was hearing a petition by one Shahid Siddiq. The petitioner had requested the court to halt the possibility of a pardon for Aasia by President Zardari.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that statements issued by government representatives pertaining to the possibility of a presidential pardon were disrespectful of the judiciary. According to Article 45 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Aasia Bibi cannot be pardoned as her case is sub judice, the petition stated.
The petition further stated that President Zardari does not have the authority to pardon those convicted of blasphemy. the LHC subsequently issued an ad interim order that Aasia could not be released on presidential orders as her case was sub judice. The petitioner also termed Punjab Governor Salman Taseer’s call to pardon Aasia as illegal. The court’s verdict is against Aasia and Governor Taseer, terming her innocent, has called for a pardon, which is illegal, the petition stated.LHC Chief Justice Khawaja Mohammad Sharif after hearing the argument issued stay order and said the case is sub judice in Lahore High Court after which it can be brought into the Supreme Court. The court further said that till the verdict on the case is made Governor Punjab should restrain from any such activity hindering the court procedure and even the President has no authority to pardon Aasia bibi. The court has therefore sought an explanation of the call for pardon from Governor Taseer and the federation by December 6.

Rallies against govt's support for Asia Bibi
Rallies were held in many important cities of Punjab on Sunday, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan Bahawalpur and Sahiwal, against the alleged conspiracies of the rulers to amend Article 295(C). The rulers wanted to facilitate the release of Asia Bibi convicted for blasphemy. The demonstrators carried banners, inscribed with various slogans against the government and Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. According to a press release, the speakers while addressing the demonstrators said that rulers should fear the wrath of Allah. They said everyone knew the crime committed by Asia but they were trying to pave the way for release only please their Western masters. They said blasphemy law must be retained and strictly enforced. Source: The Nation






US military presence in Quetta denied
Monitoring Desk
RAWALPINDI, 28th November:The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has denied the news regarding the presence of US office of the Defense Representative in Pakistan (ODRP) at Quetta.“the news report is not correct”, the ISPR spokesman said in a statement released on Saturday. The spokesman further said that the US Officials however, occasionally visit Quetta to provide information and coordinate between ISAF & Pakistan Military whenever the US Forces are conducting operations close to the border in Afghanistan.US Embassy in Pakistan has also denied the same news report, the spokesman concluded.





Another Plane crash in Karachi city near Dalmia; eight died on board including at ground
Monitoring Report
KARACHI, November 27: Plane Crash in Dalmia, Karachi Exclusive so 8 people were on board.6 families in one building that has completely demolished.2 buildings completely collapsed due to plane crashA plane has been crashed near Dalmia area in Gulistan-e-Johar cargo plane has reportedly crashed near Dalmia area in Gulistan-e-Johar locality, Geo News reported late Saturday.
According to sources, police, rescue workers, law enforcing agencies trying to reach the crash site.According to reports, it was a Russian made plane. Dalmia is a thickly populated area near Gulistan-e-Johar so deaths have been feared. Earlier, people claimed hearing a powerful explosion, which appeared a plane crash. Hundreds of people have arrived on the spot while the crash site is on fire and thick smoke is emitting from the scene, eyewitnesses said. Another eyewitness Adnan, said the right engine of the plane, appeared to be PIA’s plane, right engine caught fire first then while preparing to take turn, it crashed into ground. A Russian-made cargo plane crashed in a fireball near residential apartments in Karachi, seconds after taking off from the city’s airport Sunday with eight people on board, said officials.

KARACHI: Site where Ilyushin IL-76 Sudanese capital Khartoum bounded aircraft crashed.

The Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft had been bound for the Sudanese capital Khartoum, said Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman Pervez George. Police said there were injuries, but there was no immediate confirmation on casualty numbers or whether people had been hurt on the ground.
The crash caused a massive blaze in the Dalmai neighbourhood, where the Pakistan Air Force and Nay have residential apartments and sensitive installations close to Jinnah International airport, witnesses said. “It took off from Karachi at 1:45 am (20:45 GMT Saturday) and after one and a half minutes it crashed,” said George. “It was an IL-76 cargo plane. It was going to Khartoum. It had eight people on board,” he said.Sunday’s plane crash was the third in four months in Pakistan and the second in Karachi in just four weeks.Police said injured people had been evacuated to local hospitals, but had no immediate confirmation on numbers or whether there had been any deaths. Reports said there were 8 passengers on board which was bound to Khartoom, the capital of
Sudan.Source:Current Affairs




GST, Finance Amendment bills approved by Senate body
Monitoring Report
By:SOHAIL SARFRAZ
ISLAMABAD,November 24 : The Senate standing committee on finance and revenue on Tuesday unanimously approved the General Sales Tax (GST) Bill 2010 and Finance Amendment Bill 2010 to introduce new taxation measures along with certain recommendations to expand the exemption basket including medicines, essential food items in packing, educational material and packed milk/products to minimise the inflationary impact of the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) on the
poor masses.The government successfully managed approval of GST Bill along with taxation measures including flood surcharge and increase in special excise duty from the committee in the presence of PML (N), PML (Q) and other opposition parties. However, Chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmed Ali, of MQM, was unable to attend the proceedings of the meeting.
The committee in the Parliament House with Senator Islamuddin Shaikh in the chair here on Tuesday. Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh, Minister of State for Finance Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary Finance Salman Siddiqui and Chairman of FBR Sohail Ahmed were present in the meeting. In the absence of the representatives of MQM, the chairman of the committee, Islam-ud-din, read a letter of the MQM that the Senate committee should reject the GST Bill 2010. The committee termed t as a political statement of the MQM.The chairman of the committee announced unanimous approval of the GST Bill 2010 after hearing observations of committee members, particularly Haroon Khan from PML (Q), Ilyas Bilour from Awami National Party, Ishaq Dar of PML (N), Kulsoom Parveen and Khurshid Ahmed from Jamaat-i-Islami in the second session of the meeting.
During the proceedings, Dar said he was surprised to know that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had not conducted any sectoral analysis and item-wise revenue impact by bringing maximum items within the scope of the sales tax regime. He asked the tax managers to explain whether the Board had conducted any sectoral analysis of the exempted items. FBR Chairman Sohail Ahmed informed the committee that the list of the exempted items under the GST Bill had been drafted after thorough discussions keeping in view the best international practices. FBR Chairman strongly supported imposition of the GST on the expensive medicines consumed by rich people. However, he admitted that the sectoral analysis had not been conducted by the Board to give any figure about proposed collection from each and every sector. "We will move as per systems applicable in the best tax administrations for the purpose of exemptions', he added. "Any item has not been placed in the Exempted List of the GST Bill 2010 until or unless it is very necessary directly impacting the poor", Sohail added. When some members asked the FBR to take away the proposal on the enhancement of the SED from one percent to 2 percent, the FBR Chairman said that the doubling of the SED would have revenue impact of Rs 9 billion to10 billion, which would be applicable for only six months of current fiscal year. Khurshid objected that the list of exempted items under the Schedule-I of the GST Bill 2010 has been limited to a few items. The sales tax exemption should be available to all kinds of basic food items, medicines, children uniforms, educational material and books. While reviewing the Schedule-I of the GST Bill 2010, Haroon said that all kinds of dry fruits had been brought into the GST regime as exemption is restricted to edible oil, edible fruit, red chillies, ginger, turmeric, fruit juices, etc. He said that the Exemption Schedule of the GST Bill also reflects that GST would be applicable on bakery products used by the general public. However, Hina pointed out that leading bakeries are only accessible to the elite class.About the penalty regime under Third Schedule of the GST Bill, Haroon objected that the Board has proposed harsh punishments like imprisonment for small violation of the Sales Tax Act. He said he was shocked that imprisonment has been proposed as punishment for destruction of record or false statements. The FBR has proposed imprisonment for violation for any embargo placed on removal of goods in connection with recovery of tax. The FBR assured the committee to review the penalty regime under the proposals of the committee.
During the first part of the committee meeting, the opposition members told the government that there were certain flaws in the language of the RGST bills by identifying loopholes and they told the ruling PPP that they would prefer to read RGST and other bills clause by clause even if they decided to consider it for approval.




Charter Flight Crashes In Karachi
Monitoring Report
KARACHI, November 23: A charter aircraft crashed shortly after take off at Karachi airport in Pakistan killing all onboard the Beech 1900.The crash was the second in less than four months in Pakistan — the latest tragedy in a year when massive floods left millions homeless and Islamist militants kept up attacks. The previous crash, in July, killed 152 people and was the worst-ever on Pakistani soil.
The Beech aircraft that crashed Friday morning belonged to the JS Air company and had just taken off from the southern city of Karachi. It had been chartered by Pakistan’s branch of ENI, an Italian-based oil and gas company, said Roger Amir, an official with the organization in Karachi, p3air reports.

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Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan

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


VoH
Voice of Voiceless

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

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


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


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


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



Hunza: Naeem Hamoon
Email: naeemhmn@hotmail.com


Gilgit: Aslam Shah

Email: hunzaishah@gmail.com


Islamabad: Ikramullah Baig
Email: hunza_havenonearth@yahoo.com

Voice of the voiceless!

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

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

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

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





Shamsuddin Muhammad,

Author and Editor,

VoH



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About Me

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

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