Editorial: What did we get from libration? [October 31-November 07]

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