August 14 a day of reflection for Gilgit-Baltistan

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
(Editorial)
August 14 is celebrated as Independence Day every year with great fanfare. The preparations for the day start full two weeks before the day. Print media brings out special supplements and the electronic media arranges programmes highlighting the significance of the day. It seems that the nation has taken full advantage of the fruits of independence, the objectives have been achieved and the country is just waiting yet another year of progress and prosperity and government’s measures to further improve their lot. However, on the other hand people’s unfulfilled aspirations and socio-economic conditions negate what we have been boasting of the achievements of the last 61 years. The country established in the name of Islam has been lost to the whims and interests of landlords, capitalists and the bureaucracy. If we look at the standard of life in the four provinces of Pakistan and independently assess the sentiments of the people, it will show that the people are facing a sense of frustration, alienation and deprivation. If it is not true then why slogans like Jeay Sindh, Jeay Muhajir, Jeay Punjabi, Jeay Baloch and Jeay Pakhtun are rising. Can we presume that only Punajb is Pakistan and the people of that province are its citizens and the rest are their subjects? We should also look at the phenomena of increasing suicide bombings, murders, unemployment and poverty which have plagued the nation for the last many years.
Though democracy has been restored after over eight years but issues concerning the common man have spiraled after the new government took over. Over the years, politicians and the successive rulers have so openly disfigured the system that the military had to intervene on many occasions. After the dark days of martial laws of Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Ziaul Haq, it is useless to say that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had dreamt of a democratic dispensation for the country. The politicians not only paralyzed the political system but also made a travesty of the judicial system. Injustices were done with smaller provinces, national wealth was looted without any accountability and the masses were kept on hollow promises, and industrialists, capitalists and Vaderas were given a free hand to plunder and loot the country.
The Pakistani rulers also played a shameful and dirty game in Kashmir since 1947, which was kept hidden from the world. They claimed Kashmir to be the jugular vein of Pakistan and tried to intervene in any troubled are in the name of Islam. However, the champions of the religion considered it their birth right to rule a people who had sought help from them in the name of Islam. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have been treated like animals and kept deprived of all basic human and constitutional rights. The injustices meted out to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan cannot be summarized in a few lines.
Two days of independence are celebrated in Gilgit-Baltitan – on August 14 and on November 1. For a long time people of the region did not understand whether August 14 was their day of independence; November 1 or none of them. However, now they have realized that none of these two dates is their day of independence. They have now understood that by attacking on the region on November 1 Pakistan enslaved them and now they have no option but to sacrifice for achieving their full independence.
In short, before picking up the knife to cut the cake on August 14, we should pause for a moment and think whether we are going to commit a mistake. Is it the obligation of a subjugated people to celebrate the day. August 14 is a day of reflection for us and we should think on this day whether we are independent or still deprived of true independence.

BSF services for political awakening hailed

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
By Our Correspondent
SKARDU: Baltistan Students Federation’s services for the subjugated people of the region in attaining their basic rights during the last 23 years have been historic and praisworthy. BSF has also created political awakening among the people of the region besides providing a platform for the nationalist parties of Gilgit-Baltistan.
This was stated by Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movemnet (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana while addressing the central convention of BSF here.
He said the leadership of BNF, GBDA and GBUM had earlier worked in the platform of the BSF. He said some elements were out to harass the students of Baltistan and keep them away from their efforts to achieve national rights.
He advised the students not to give an ear to such elements because remaining slaves does not suit the sons of Ali Sher Achan, adding the day was not far when the youth of the region would be in the forefront of the struggle for independence by following in the footsteps of Ali Sher Achan.
Mr Parwana said the BSF was a students’ body which did not believe in ethnicity, sectarianism and prejudice. He said those who at the behest of security agencies were trying to push the students towards ethnic and regional prejudices would never succeed in their designs. He expressed the hope that the BSF leadership would foil all such conspiracies through judicious decisions.
He said under a conspiracy, the students of the region were being kept away from their culture, language and tradition. In this regard, he added, the politicians and intellectuals of the region were also responsible in one way or the other. He said our politicians have been boasting that they have got the region’s succession with Pakistan but they do not tell the masses if the area had ever acceded to Pakistan who was responsible for taking this decision, where and when such an agreement was signed and with whom. If there exists such an agreement then why we have no representation in parliament of Pakistan, why the name of Gilgit-Baltistan is not mentioned in the constitution of Pakistan, why Pakistan considers Gilgit-Baltistan a disputed region and why the Supreme Court of Pakistan considers the area part of Kashmir?
He said Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA) was about to bring a resolution calling for accession of the region with Pakistan. If such a resolution is tabled and passed by the house it would be the last knell in the coffin of our slavery, he warned, asking the people to be ready for foiling such a step.

Provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
Provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan
National Assembly rejects opposition members bill
By Jameel Nagri
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has rejected by an overwhelming majority a bill seeking provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan and measures to bring the region into the constitutional ambit of Pakistan.
The bill was tabled by opposition PML-Q MNA Marvi Memon. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Memon said people of the region are still deprived of their birth rights. The area faces unemployment, illiteracy and backwardness; therefore, steps should be taken to bring the region into the mainstream. For this, she said, it was necessary that the region should be declared the fifth province of Pakistan, and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan should be given representation in the National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan. Besides, a special package should be announced for the development of the region.
However, speaking on the occasion in the house on Tuesday, PPP leader and Federal Minister for Northern Areas Qamar Zaman Kaira said there were international obstacles in giving rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan equal to those in other parts of Pakistan. He said due to the lingering dispute of Kashmir, the region cannot even be made a province of Pakistan. He advised the mover of the bill not to play politics on a sensitive matter. He said for the development of the region and provide its people with equall facilities the annual funds for the region had been increased to Rs5 billion.
The Northern Areas Legislative Council has been given the status of an assembly and more powers are been delegated to the house. He said the judiciary of the region would also be given powers equal to that of the high court of Azad Kashmir.
Marvi Memon expressed shock over rejection of the bill and said for the first time a bill seeking rights for the area had been tabled in the house but unfortunately it was turned down. She said irrespective of the dispute of Kashmir, the bill should not have been thrown away and should at least have been referred to the standing committee. She said the region was being ignored even in the 21st century. The PML-Q government had given assembly status to the legislative council of the area but the PPP government was not concerned about the welfare of the people of the region.
Addressing the prime minister, Marvi Memon said what the government is ignoring the patriotic people of Northern Areas. On this the Speaker told her that she had no authority to directly address the prime minister and should point it out to the minister concerned.
Later, when media persons told Mr Kaira that due to the policy of ignoring the Northern Areas, a wave of frustration had hit the workers and activists of the region and local PPP general secretary Mehdi Shah had threatened to resign, he said he had no knowledge of any such report.

Cracks in bridge: traffic diverted to Jalalabad road

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
By A Correspondent

GILGIT: Chief Secretary Northern Areas Babar Fateh Mohammd has directed the Public Works Department to restore the old Jalalabad-Chamogarh Road to divert traffic from the ‘China pul’ on Gilgit river after one of its pillars developed cracks and was about to collapse.
Deputy Commissioner Gilgit Mohammad Usman Younus said the feasibility of restoration of the old road had been carried out overnight and work would start on the project soon.
He said traffic would be linked with Alam Bridge and the road would be expanded as well.
In reply to a question what steps would be taken to transport the heavy machinery of Chinese engineers engaged in the expansion of the KKH as the road restoration might take a long time, the official said since the Chinese engineers would start work on the highway initially between Gilgit and Hunza there was no problem.
“The only problem we may face is how to transport the heavy machinery to Alam Bridge and that’s why the road is being restored.”
Mr Younus said the PWD authorities had assured him that the road would be ready for all kinds of traffic within 20 days.
Meanwhile, light traffic was diverted to Nomal on an emergency basis to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the KKH.
Traffic was also diverted to River View Road to cross Chinar Bagh bridges via Nomal to rejoin the KKH near Rahimabad.

PML-N vows to ensure rights for Gilgit-Baltistan

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
By DJ Mathal
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has announced that soon after the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf, it will start implementing the Charter of Democracy along with its coalition partner, the PPP, and would ensure all constitutional rights for Gilgit-Baltistan.
The issue of providing all basic rights to Gilgit-Baltistan has been mentioned in the Charter. This was stated by PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a meeting with PML-N Northern Areas president Hafiz Hafizur Rehman. Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Sardar Yaqub Khan Nasir and former Punjab Chief Minister Dost Mohammad Khosa were also present on the occasion.
Chaudhry Nisar tld Mr Rehman in the meeting held at the Punjab House that the package announced for the region by Gen Musharraf was a farce and the package the PMNL-N was envisaging would at least meet all the basic requirements to strengthen true democracy. He said the Legislative Assembly would be given powers and it would not be subservient to any authority but would be responsible to the masses only.
Later, talking to Bang-e-Sahar, Mr Hafiz said he had told the party leadership that the package should ensure powers to all the institutions of the region, so that they could perform their functions in a free manner. There should be rule of law and everyone should get justice.
He said now people understand very well that when the constitution of a country is put at abeyance or suspended for a while what happens to the basic rights of the citizens. In that prospect when we look at the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan, the people of the region have been living without a constitution and basic rights for the last over 60 years. He said he was proud of his leader Mian Nawaz Sharif that he did not deviate from his stand and a day came when Asif Ali Zardari also decided to follow his policies.

Shandur to be protected at all costs

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
By Our Correspondent

GAHKUCH: Chief Executive Northern Areas Mir Ghzanfar Ali Khan has claimed that they possess important documents on the ownership of Shandur and rumours that a former chief secretary had tried to give these documents to the NWFP government through the DCO of Chitral were baseless.
Talking to local area, he said the federal government had been informed that Shandur belonged to the people of Northern Areas and efforts would be made to protect the area. In reply to a question, he said there was no move to oust him, adding he was acceptable to all the members. He aid progress was being made regarding the political status of the region and during his remaining one-year tenure the nation would hear some good news.
Speaking on the occasion, member Legislative Assembly Rani Atiqa said God has given the power to the area people to protect the boundaries of the region including Shandur. Nobody would be allowed to continue any type of brinkmanship, she added. She said we should protect our resources against plunder by outsiders.

Village inundated

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008

By Our Correspondent

GILGIT: Heavy floods inundated a vast cultivated land and destroyed crops, orchards and social forestry in Hashopi village of Shigar valley.
Assistant Commissioner Shigar valley Momin Shah told Bang-e-sahar that a bridge over a stream was also partially damaged.
The villagers have suffered huge losses because crops, orchards and land were damaged, he added.

Call to cancel marble lease

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
By Our Correspondent

GILGIT: Mohmand Dada Minerals (Pvt) Limited is trying to occupy the mineral resources of Nasirabad after getting illegal lease from the government.
This was stated by the leaders of Progressive Youth Front Shenaki including Farman Bahadar, Hafizullah, MumtazAli Engineer, Karim Engineer Wahidullah Baig, Ikram and Saleem while talking to Bang-e-Sahar here.
They demanded that the government should cancel the Nasirabad marble lease.
They said the multinational companies were entering Gilgit-Baltistan like the East India Company and were planning to occupy the resources of the region. Our resources are our assets and all our future depends on them. Therefore, we would never allow the outsiders to occupy the resources of the region, they added.

Chitral BHUs lack doctors

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
CHITRAL: The People’s Programme for Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) has yet to solve the basic problem of the acute shortage of doctors in its basic health units (BHUs) in Chitral, the people complained. They said one year ago, the PPHI, then called President’s Programme for Healthcare Initiative, had taken over all the 21 BHUs of the district to improve their functioning which were in disordered form with the result that the patients relied on the DHQ hospital from all the nooks and corners of the district. Most of the BHUs were being run without doctors and without diagnostic facilities while the buildings were in dilapidated conditions.
They said although the PPHI improved the infrastructure of the health units to a good degree but the problems of absence of doctors and diagnostic facilities still persists.
The provision of medicines has also been ensured to all the BHUs in sufficient quantities but without a doctor who will prescribe the medicines, they asked. The PPHI has so far appointed only four doctors for the 21 BHUs, they said, adding the number is quite insufficient and meaningless.
A doctor has to cover three or more BHUs simultaneously which is humanly not possible as the population is sparse and the distance between the BHUs are very large to be covered on daily basis. They said the joint-doctor of the BHUs encamps himself in one BHU and visits the others very seldom due to the problems of communication as the doctor has no transport facility at his disposal to go to the other stations at will while it takes two days or more if one walks on feet, they said. The situation worsens in the winter season when due to the snow and avalanches, it become more difficult to move from one valley to another. Citing example, they said that the Nishko BHU, where the doctor is stationed, remains cut off from Terich, Rech and Khot valleys in the winter season for vehicular traffic where BHUs are existing. They questioned that how a lonely doctor can perform duty in such stations, they questioned. Regarding the diagnostic facilities, the residents said that even the presence of doctor is meaningless when there are no diagnostic facilities.
They said that even a simple urine and blood test is not available in the BHU and one has to go to the DHQ hospital for the purpose while without preliminary diagnosis, no treatment is possible. They said that just the renovation of a hospital building is not the solution of the healthcare problems and the provision of medicines will relieve the poor people of the remote areas only when doctors are available to them.-chitraltoday.com

Chitral BHUs lack doctors

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar Karachi Saturday, August 16—-August 22, 2008
CHITRAL: The People’s Programme for Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) has yet to solve the basic problem of the acute shortage of doctors in its basic health units (BHUs) in Chitral, the people complained. They said one year ago, the PPHI, then called President’s Programme for Healthcare Initiative, had taken over all the 21 BHUs of the district to improve their functioning which were in disordered form with the result that the patients relied on the DHQ hospital from all the nooks and corners of the district. Most of the BHUs were being run without doctors and without diagnostic facilities while the buildings were in dilapidated conditions.