Editorial-Eddy Move ~ VoH Weekly-Voiceless voices

Voiceless Voices

The blog is a venture with exclusive news updates, unbiased analysis and opinion on historical, cultural, ecological, socio--economic, ego-political and administrative issues and events occurring in country in general and the region particular. It would serve as credible web portal with genuine 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 and Azad Kashmir with reference to our motherland, Pakistan. 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 Dogra rule. In a quest to voice over issues of vital importance, keeping closer to circle of concern, Hunza, a name famous for its beauty and its 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 grass root level to the top. We would continue to give due respect to trends that may patronize inter-religious harmony, tolerance, a pluralist society with diversity, mutual respect, democracy, equal opportunity and other aspects of human rights and professional values of journalism and ultimately the blog will serve as a binding force and medium of voice for the every voiceless person of the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The idea of creation of this blog came into my mind during a visit after spending few years of educational career at Karachi, capital of Southern province to the region. While traveling from southern region of the country to the north, I experienced many few in life styles 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 lust for 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 from former outlook. The Chinese bridge that linked Danyore and Gilgit and a main source of transportation was no more due to lack of proper care and repairing. A person told me that few journalists have lost their lives in lethal road accident due to lack of arrangements on part of concerned authority by displaying sings to stop driving ahead to avoid the incidents. Karakorum High Way (KKH), one of the highest truck able route and 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 compared to nineteen hours in past. The scenario seemed was by and large same that was five years back in Hunza too. The 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 Al-Husaini, 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 establishments and always ready to achieve their own interest lest it comes to compromise on national matters-evident from conspiracies against representative ultimately overthrowing most of them even in the early decades of country's creation. 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 decentralization of powers 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 organizations 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

Mission Statement &

Publishing team
VoH-Weekly

The VoH aims to become voice for voiceless masses of valleys of Karakorum, Himalayas and Hindkush mountain ranges where communities live since thousands of years. Hunza, a beautiful place among other valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan experiences 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 embraced a haphazard socio-economic and ecological development making it a development model for rest of far flung valleys of Diamer, Baltistan, Ghizar, Ghanche, Astore districts. 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 safeguard their own interests, an unbridled bureaucracy, and corrupt regimes that patronizing nepotism wield power 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. VoH Weekly team cherishes hope for a peaceful and prosperous future through evolution in nation building process.

The blog is being updated by number of volunteers who are common educated individuals from mountain communities.

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VoH Weekly

September

Hunza, like other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan is now under inching transformation pellucid from the ongoing events occurring in course of time. Annals of history disclose that the people of this region started to know the outer world first time when Diamond Jublee Schools were established by Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan (III) in early fifties in commemoration of his Diamond Jubilee in relation to celebrate the seventy five years of Imamat in Ismaili faith. Later, dwellers of this isolated region for many centuries were driven by the traditional mindset with a closed proximity influenced by monarchical legacy entered in a new phase. Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan (IV) visited the region in 1960 to extend his philanthropic services for communities in general and Shia Imami Ismaili in particular dwelling on the hard lines of Silk Route along Indus river Oxus. The resultant was that the indigenous population realized the worth of education in their lives gradually.

By 1974, people got political awareness when Z.A.Bhutto abrogated princely status of the region to bring political reforms under a new ordinance. Progressive forces welcomed the move but this all proved fruitless when the subsequent rullers like Gen.Zia-ul-Haq overturn a democratic rule; theorocratic government, sowing the seeds of sectrainism, nepotism-thus dilapidating the vary foundations of communal harmony. It was the first time when Pervez Musharraf, ex president managed to deliver some thing explicit establishing a new district comprising Hunza Nagar under Legal Frame work ordinance 2006. Interestingly, he has a credit for establishing and leaving many remarkable institutions behind him which were ought to be deliver by democratic governments during their tenure namely devolution of authority to grass route level vide Local Governments. The plan when we compare with that of Ayub Khan’s Basic Democracy and Zia-ul Haq’s Local Bodies scheme, we comprehend that General Pervez Musharraf’s plan promised substantial autonomy for elected local officials thus placing an elected official at the head of the district administration and development, thereby repealing around a century old beaurocratical structure left behind by white angels. Nevertheless the plan did not work well due to many flaws and inability of the concern authorities during implementation. It was desirable if the same was implemented but there existed constitutional barriers in the way: constitution of Pakistan provides no legal status for being an integral part of Pakistan. His ordinance to empower Hunza-Nagar district, challenging the stance of foreign office seems has sent to trash to keep it in status quo as since last decades.

NGOs and government institutions delivered many projects to develop rural population and to bring them to a sustainable level. Unfortunately, at this stage, the pace of development is either stopped or started to decline in the region since 2006 onwards. There are at least two factors behind such tendency. The first disappointing factor is that our top brass regional political leadership is ignorant, less educated and ineligible to address the issues of area on right platform. Secondly, the life changing pattern largely influenced social psyche to rely on NGOs instead of government institutions- the real stack holders of the masses. Similarly, the common perception infused by non democratic entities to stay away from politics have left people nothing but to support, follow the ineligible traditional leader ship to decide the destinies of their and coming generations. Seeing the lack of interest and accountability before people our political leaders have mastered deluding people with false promises at the time of election campaigns. One of the painful aspects in this dilemma is lack of vision of local leadership to take nation out of inertia; evict the traditional selfish elements and address issues of national interest. The nuances when scrutinized closely reveal that there are many things in common between the people of Hunza and Nagar except an efficient political leader ship for Hunza. The on going developmental work in government sector in Nagar sub division is a tangible evidence of higher level of political awareness among the masses that send a sincere leadership capable of ingratiating authorities.

Hunza has a distinction for being among the top most academically equipped youth; nevertheless, we should not fall a prey of superior complexity. We must try to learn from the experience of Nagar, our next home through supporting and sending young leadership to the assemblies of the state. This will in turn enable us to shift our dependency from NGOs to public institutions to materialize development plans exploiting
the skills to keep pace with the dynamic world.

Editor

Posted in: VoH Weekly

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