BANG-E-SAHAR

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Saturday, May 17—-23, 2008
Bureau Report
Islamabad: The people of Gilgit-Baltistan had pinned high hopes in Pakistan when it came into being in the name of Islam, but lack of interest on part of the successive rulers, poverty, unemployment and rampant violations of human rights have totally disappointed the masses and shattered their expectations.
After passage of over 60 years, the government still has no tangible programme for the region. The extent of injustices meted out to the area people during this period is unparallel in the history of the world.
These views were expressed by President of human rights organization, Muhafiz. He said a hue and cry was raised in the whole world when an emergency rule was imposed in Pakistan and the constitution was suspended. But no voice is raised against denial of constitutional and political rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for the last over 60 years.
He said no efforts were made for the welfare and independence of the judiciary and the media in Gilgit-Baltitsan. He said today the National Reconciliation Ordinance was enforced in whole Pakistan but Gilgit-Baltistan has also been kept out of the law. All political activists including Baloch nationalist leader Akhtar Mengal have been freed under the ordinance, he added. He said if Gilgit-Baltistan was a part of Pakistan this law should also be implemented in the region and all bogus cases against political workers and nationalist leaders should be withdrawn.