Retired officials at work against the interest of current regime;

Few elements want me to grapple with others; new governor neither Sunni, nor Shia not Ismaili rather ought to be a jiala: Mehdi Shah

GB Echo Bureau report

GILGIT, October 01: Being a politician, I do not follow any religion and every one has ventured to defame me by slinging mud over me saying I am incompetent; i accept I do but not like those who were involved in anti social activities like smuggling. These views were expressed by Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltisan Syed Mehdi Shah while talking to media persons after the convention of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Gilgit-Baltistan chapter. He claimed that retired government officials who got prosper with the support of Quid-e-Awam Z.A. Bhutto were working against the interest of current PP regime saying few elements want me to grapple with others unnecessarily. He said that the new governor of Gilgit Baltistan should neither be a follower of Sunni, nor Shia not Ismaili school of thought rather he ought to be a PPP jiala.
He said those who criticize on PPP led government both in center and Gilgit-Blatistan were the products of opportunism saying those who entered in government services as grade one retired as the head of their department due to patronization of Qaid-e-Awam Z.A.Bhutto who followed the poor friendly policies to manifest his 'Rotti, Karpra, Makaan' slogan. " Few people also want to get me involve into unnecessary mazes to prove me incompetent and create an excuse to redeem self governance package for the empowerment of the region. He criticized former regimes for neglecting of masses of across the region saying within a tenure of three years our party leadership including Prime Minister visited Gilgit-Baltistan thrice specially to Diamer where none of any former premiers ever been. He said that his party would support their dyehard workers in appointments keeping in view the requirements and skills. " Our dedicated Jialas or activists are enough to overcome any situation if needed," he added.

Violence revisits Gilgit- three persons critically injured in armed attack in Western limits;

Ongoing search operation under question!

Monitoring Report

GILGIT, September 29: At least three people are reportedly seriously injured following an armed attack on a public transport vehicle in Basin area police limits. According to the details, some unidentified assailants equipped with advanced automatic arms attacked a light vehicle carrying locals was on the way from Suzuki stand to Basin area in the West of Gilgit city.

GILGIT: Despite of vigilance on part of law enforcement agencies in the last week of current month, culprits inflicted wreck creating sense of insecurity in the city and outskirts. A police is parked to close the entrance to a local main mosque to avert possible terrorist attacks. Photo by VoH

Arm attack, it was said left at least three people seriously injured creating sense of insecurity among the residents of city of possibility of communal based conflict in the region. For more, please log on: Voice of Hunza

Wazir Baig takes oath as acting governor of Gilgit Baltistan

VoH News Watch dog

ISLAMABAD, September: (APP) Speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) Wazir Baig here on Monday took oath as the acting governor of Gilgit-Baltistan. Chief Justice of GB Supreme Appellate Court Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi administered oath to the acting governor at a simple but an impressive ceremony held at the GB House.
The ceremony was also attended by Chief Minister of GB Syed Mehdi Shah, members of GBLA, ministers and other senior officials of the Gilgit-Baltistan administration.
The seat of governor had fallen vacant after the demise of Dr. Shama Khalid.After being sworn-in, Wazir Baig talking to media vowed to make all-out efforts for the socio-economic development of the area and welfare of its people.
He informed that GB has not only the potential to meet electricity requirement of the area but the entire country, stressing the need for exploiting the resources of hydel power generation to meet the energy shortages.
The acting governor said the GBLA has already taken special measures for maintaining peace, brotherhood and sectarian harmony in the area.In this regard, he said a committee has already been in place to achieve this objective as promotion of tourism and increased investment is very much inter-linked with improved law and order situation there.
He said the committee is interacting with Ulema and religious scholars belonging to different schools of thought to ensure harmony among various faiths and sects.Wazir Baig said the GB Legislative Assembly and its administration are in constant touch with the federal government for early rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of the area.
Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah in his brief remarks on the occasion welcomed the appointment of Wazir Baig as acting governor and said “Mr. Baig is a seasoned and visionary politician and capable enough of resolving the problems being faced by the area.”

Have we failed as a nation?

GBE Monitoring Desk
By Fizza Sangi

We, Pakistanis, always blame our politicians for being corrupt, when we, ourselves, are no better than them. Truth is, we might even be worse. They are not to be blamed for what the country is facing, well, they are not the ONLY ones to be blamed. We are part of it as well.
I never pondered over this until a couple of days back, I did not even ponder over those affected by the flood. Yes, it is true that when I enjoyed all my luxuries, I did not, even once, not that I remember, think of them. I did, however, think of all the people who conned money out of the Pakistani citizens by saying it would all be donated to the flood victims. What happened with the things that we donated, none of us know (not including those who went themselves).
The point is that this ‘crime’ or ‘sin’ was not only committed by adults, but young people as well. School going kids, in fact. Fourteen and fifteen year old Pakistani youths have conned their school mates. This happened at my own school, where those of the most wealthy families study. For practicing such an act, one must be truly heartless.
The reason they did this is because adults were doing it, they were only following their example. For those who sit back and are not doing a thing about it, I should only mention that you are as huge a part of this sin as the rest. To those youths who did this, you are not children anymore, you are mature, you know what is right and wrong, and this act does not make you ’smart’ for conning money out of those younger and older than you. You are only foolish, to be walking in the steps of your own enemies. For following the footsteps of those more foolish than yourself.
Furthermore, I would only like to add that you are no better than the politicians you pretend that you hate. Yes, you only pretend. You are no better than them.-Aaj Tv

Fizza Sangi is a young writer, currently doing her O Levels at Beaconhouse School System in Karachi.

Intensive continual sub-terrain sounds create panic among residents of Shishkat

Monitoring Report

SHISHKAT, September: The constant observation of continual intensive sub-terrain sounds in Shishkat village and outskirts has served to create panic among the residents. According to the local population, heavy underground sounds were being heard during midnight, leaving people in fear and uncertainty. Afiat Khan, a resident of Upper-Shishkat (locally called Dal-Dus) while talking to Voice of Hunza said that the locals especially woman and children were largely affected psychologically. " Some times intensity to sounds make the people to get out of their houses to escape any possible danger," he added.

SHISHKAT, GOJAL, Upper Hunza: Around 71% of the total settlement of Shishkat Gojal, has been submerged in dammed Hunza river. Constant subtranean sounds irks people and served to infuse psychological naunces among the residents. Image by: Shams

This strtegically important village, which has been known for cash crops especially patatoe producation has lost around 71 percent of its total cultivated land along with thousands of fruit producing trees is now on war with unseen natural forces .
While, despite of apprehensions, neither local governments nor Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) took the matter seriously leaving people in bewilderment. When contacted local authorities to ask whether possible arrangements were made by taking disaster prevention measures to avert any untoward situation in case of a mishap, the answer was in negative saying there is no recommendation from any geological or seismic expert to declare emergency. A public servant on condition of anonymity told an online weekly portal that local government is taking little interest to give any substantial relief including evacuation of population from settlement in question before some thing not happened on pretext of its focus on renovation of infrastructure destroyed by torrential rains last month.

Courtesy: VoH

Conspiracies to sell relief goods by regional administrations to be unfolded;

Current regime practicing poor eliminating tricks: Baba Jan

Bureau Report
HUNZA, Aliabad, September 14: Conspiracies to sell relief items specially that of petroleum products provided by Chinese government to be unfold and in case of use of state authority, masses would settle the account to hallow promises that PPP led regime has been making with the people of the region. These view were expressed by Chief Organizer, Progressive Youth Front, Hunza-Nagar chapter in a press statement. Talking to the media persons, Mr. Baba Jan alledged Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fatah Muhammad, Speaker Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) and finance Minister Muhammad Ali Akhtar for waving conspiracies to get their own benefits from a disaster hit communities of Gojal, Upper Hunza.
He criticised local both political and civil administration for apparently over looking of journalists of Hunza-Nagar nagar district saying the authorities were trying to mishandle relief to fill thier own pockets. " Instead of rendering efforts to get additional relief from centre, Shah's government was looking to grab relief items of communities in trouble," he added. He warned that in case of any unwanted act on part of local governments would back fire saying prgressive youth front was planning to record protest against possible irregularites and mismanagment of relief goods.