RDsTimes
We, the team of Readers Time would like to extend our heartiest wishes to all our readers on the ocasion of Novroz day and pray for good days with prosperity and peace.May the Lord absolve humanity from the shackles of tyranni, injustice, poverty and other social evils.Sunday, March 21, 2010
Novroze being celebrated in Gilgit-Blatistan
Monitoring Report
HUNZA, March 21:(Shamsuddin Muhammad) Novroze Festival is being celebrated with simplicity this year in most of the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. In Hunza-Nagar, the festival is observed with great zeal.Nevertheless, due to natural disaster of landsliding and its negative implications faced by Upper Hunza has overshadowed the the celebration. The day will start with special prayers in mosques, Jamat Khanas for world peace, prosperity and good time in future; and will mark the very first day of the natural calender of year lasts as a legacy of ancient Persia and central Asian tradition.For more, please visit: www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
Heartiest greetings on Noveroze day
GBEcho
We, the team of Gilgit-Baltistan Echo would like to extend our heartiest wishes to all our readers on the occasion of Novroze day and pray for good days with prosperity and peace.May the Lord absolve humanity from the shackles of tyranni, injustice, poverty and other social evils.Thursday, March 18, 2010
A man shot dead of animosity
GBE Watch
HUNZA,Karimabad, March 18: A man was found dead after he received bullets in his upper torso late hours last night. According to details, Deedar Ali, resident of Brongushal was found dead near Girls High school, Karimabad. He was rushed to Civil hospital where doctors confirmed his death. According to police sources, the deceased was convicted by apex court of life imprisonment in a murder case in 2000. He was released from jail few weeks ago and was killed the kith and kin of the former victim . He was burred into Suriyasay Das in front of hundreds of people on Thursday.Source: www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
What ails you- CBR to impose value added Tax in Gilgit Baltistan;
Parliament has powers to accept or reject VAT: CBR Chairman
Monitoring report
Monitoring report
ISLAMABAD, March 18: ( APP/AFP) Sohail Ahmed, chairman Federal Board of Revenue has said that about 
40 million rupee will be additional income from value added taxes to be imposed in Gilgit Baltistan.He said that Wheat, flour, pulses, education, live saving medicines and health as well as imports will be exampt from value added tax. He said that Value Added Tax bill sought no role of International Monitory Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB). Chairman FBR Sohail Ahmed ON Thursday said that the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime was not being implemented in the country on the dictations of International Monitory Fund (IMF) or World Bank (WB) and the parliament had the powers to accept or reject the same. He was addressing a session of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) at Pearl Continental here, which was also attended by the presidents of Chambers and Industries from across the country.
He
said the implementation of the VAT from July 2010 in place of existing General Sales Tax, would only be possible if all the federating units agreed on it.
He said the VAT would ensure sovereign Pakistan. The final draft of the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime would be ready by the end of April or the beginning of May. The discussion in parliament committees would be started from this month. The VAT would be in final shape within a period of two months. VAT is currently implemented in 34 countries of the world. He said Pakistan had the potential to collect around Rs 2200 to Rs 2300 billion tax. If the taxes are collected according to the potential there would be no need to beg from International Monitory Fund or World Bank. The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday discussed the draft of Value Added Tax (VAT) Law in the presence of provincial Chief Ministers and decided that in order to get the country out of its current resource crunch, it is imperative to expand the resource base and consider the VAT Law as an important part of this effort. This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira during a joint press briefing alongwith Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Wednesday. The briefing was held after a special meeting of the Cabinet held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here to discuss counter-terrorism measures with special focus on inter-provincial efforts in this respect. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers, Ministers of State, Advisors to the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of the four provinces and Prime Minister of AJK as well as the Provincial Chief Secretaries, Igs of Police and Chief of General Staff, GHQ. The minister told the briefing that the Cabinet decided that all the provinces will introduce the Provincial VAT Bill 2010 in their respective Provincial Assemblies immediately, so as to enable their respective finance Committees to deliberate the proposed law for its final disposal by June 2010.
40 million rupee will be additional income from value added taxes to be imposed in Gilgit Baltistan.He said that Wheat, flour, pulses, education, live saving medicines and health as well as imports will be exampt from value added tax. He said that Value Added Tax bill sought no role of International Monitory Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB). Chairman FBR Sohail Ahmed ON Thursday said that the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime was not being implemented in the country on the dictations of International Monitory Fund (IMF) or World Bank (WB) and the parliament had the powers to accept or reject the same. He was addressing a session of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) at Pearl Continental here, which was also attended by the presidents of Chambers and Industries from across the country.He
said the implementation of the VAT from July 2010 in place of existing General Sales Tax, would only be possible if all the federating units agreed on it.He said the VAT would ensure sovereign Pakistan. The final draft of the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime would be ready by the end of April or the beginning of May. The discussion in parliament committees would be started from this month. The VAT would be in final shape within a period of two months. VAT is currently implemented in 34 countries of the world. He said Pakistan had the potential to collect around Rs 2200 to Rs 2300 billion tax. If the taxes are collected according to the potential there would be no need to beg from International Monitory Fund or World Bank. The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday discussed the draft of Value Added Tax (VAT) Law in the presence of provincial Chief Ministers and decided that in order to get the country out of its current resource crunch, it is imperative to expand the resource base and consider the VAT Law as an important part of this effort. This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira during a joint press briefing alongwith Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Wednesday. The briefing was held after a special meeting of the Cabinet held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here to discuss counter-terrorism measures with special focus on inter-provincial efforts in this respect. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers, Ministers of State, Advisors to the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of the four provinces and Prime Minister of AJK as well as the Provincial Chief Secretaries, Igs of Police and Chief of General Staff, GHQ. The minister told the briefing that the Cabinet decided that all the provinces will introduce the Provincial VAT Bill 2010 in their respective Provincial Assemblies immediately, so as to enable their respective finance Committees to deliberate the proposed law for its final disposal by June 2010.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Shehzad gets lurals of public
GBE Report
HUNZA, March 17: Shehzad Ali, who died of a land slide mishap at the calamity hit site Attaabad. Shehzad, who was active member of Shia Imami Islmaili Boys scouts, Aliabad, Hunza remained busy in the philanthropic work following the land slide calamity.
HUNZA, Aliabad: Ismaili boy souts paying tribute to Late Shehzad Ali at his gavePhoto by: Fazal Karim Hunzai
Appointment of governor based on consensus: Mehdi Shah
VoH Report
GILGIT, March 16: Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan has said that the appointment for the office of governor will be approved within a week. 
He said that all members of the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly will be taken into confidence before the appointment of the porposed candidate during the confidence to be held in president house, Islamabad . Talking to Voice of Hunza, he said that numerous names are under consideration and among the most favorite including Lady doctor Shehzadi,Shama Khalid, sheereen and miss Rubina; nevertheless the final name will be announced in the confernce.Monday, March 1, 2010
Between two fires-Hundreds of students of Uswa Public School in a fix in Capital
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, March 02: According to a regional media sources,about 150 students of Uswa Public School Skardu, are in a fix in Islamabad, the country's capital. According to the details, about 150 students were taken to Islamabad on pretext of better tuition facilities against huge amounts by the school and college administration. Yet, the journey proved a wild goose chase as neither there was proper qualified teaching faculty nor food and accommodation facilities. It was latte disclosed to the students that they will have to rely on the teachers accompanied them from Skardu.
Students have alleged the school and college administration for taking huge amounts against the fake promises. The report further says that about 4000 rupee have been charge with a promise to provide quality tuition and boarding facilities which have turned distant dream for those fell victim. The most of students belong to middle class families who have been stuck in confusion how to get return.
Source: www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
Students have alleged the school and college administration for taking huge amounts against the fake promises. The report further says that about 4000 rupee have been charge with a promise to provide quality tuition and boarding facilities which have turned distant dream for those fell victim. The most of students belong to middle class families who have been stuck in confusion how to get return.
Source: www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
600 houses posed to danger; authroties should take additional step breach in water blockade says Juthal Notables
Beauru Report
NAGAR, Juthal, March 01: The population of the settlement would forced to the street if the authorities do not take additional step to expedite work on breach of blockage water. These views were expressed by the notables from Juthal village.
Talking to our correspondent, notable of Juthal village expressed their concerns over safety measures in case of outburst of blockade water at Hunza river adding about six hundred houses will be affected. They said that authorities have neglected the population saying government will be held responsible in case of any carnage in future." In case of failure of authorities to release water to the end of March, people will come on the roads to record protest," they added.
Talking to our correspondent, notable of Juthal village expressed their concerns over safety measures in case of outburst of blockade water at Hunza river adding about six hundred houses will be affected. They said that authorities have neglected the population saying government will be held responsible in case of any carnage in future." In case of failure of authorities to release water to the end of March, people will come on the roads to record protest," they added.
Source: www.rdstimes.blogspot.com
Hunza-Nagar recieves heavy rainfall; land sliding at some places
VoH Report
HUNZA,Nagar, March.01: Hunza and Nagar along with other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan received heavy rain fall on early Monday night. The drizziling started at 4:00 A.M that later turned into heavy rain pour.
All areas in Gilgit-Baltistan region are under sever cold wave for last six weeks.According to meteorological department, about .041 ml rain fall has been recorded. Some analysts says this is because of climate change that resulted into more cold in winter and hotter in summer than few years ago. The alluvial valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan are portraying a picture of mid winter as the snow fall continued on mountains and high altitude. There are reports of land sliding at some places in the region.
All areas in Gilgit-Baltistan region are under sever cold wave for last six weeks.According to meteorological department, about .041 ml rain fall has been recorded. Some analysts says this is because of climate change that resulted into more cold in winter and hotter in summer than few years ago. The alluvial valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan are portraying a picture of mid winter as the snow fall continued on mountains and high altitude. There are reports of land sliding at some places in the region.Protest against neglegance and arrest of youth
Monitoring Report
GILGIT, HUNZA, Feb.28: A large number of youth, senior ciitzens and civil society members from Upper Hunza came out to streets in Aliabad and Gulmit Hunza to protest against the use of state force against peaceful protest and negligence of government towards the difficulties face by the people of Ayeenabad, Shishkat,Gulmit and outskirts following water blockade. According to details, on appeal of Save Gojal Coordination Committee, people assembled at Aliabad and Gilgit to record protest against the arrest of three youth said the students of Karakorum International University. The both were arrested on protest following the refusal of Chief Secretary to meet the delegation. Protesters at both places chanted slogans against Chief and home secretary. 
According to more details, a delegation from Upper Hunza wanted to meet home secretary Usman Yunus who refused to do so. Later police baton charged those protested against the negative behavior and detained youth in their custody. Similarly, protesters at Gulmit who marched on Karakorum High Way demanded removal of Chief and Home secretary Gilgit-Baltistan. They protesters and slammed the false claims of government of providing wheat as relief package to people of Gojal, Upper HunzaFriday, February 26, 2010
Post disaster scenario
GBEcho
Natural calamities are not new to the people of Giligit-Baltistan; most of whom have had suffered a lot due to either criminal negligence of those on helms of power, lack of disaster prevention measures or overlooking of the phenomenon where that certain strata of population took with ease.The recent horrible land slide tragedy that slid down a major portion of Attaabad and Sarat villages and turned settlements into rubble with in few moments. The massive land slide calamity claimed many precious lives, most of them of Sarat , a more safer village than Attaabad recommended by FOCUS, leaving trapped under rubble, many critically injured. Besides human loss, property damage was unimaginable that reminded us the havoc of high magnitude earth quack of October, 2005 in Azad Jamu and Kashmir. Keeping the geographical features of the region in general and the slide affected area in particular where seismic or volcanic activity is active,geological experts of Survey of Pakistan and FOCUS in their respective reports warned the population of expected danger declaring the area red zone and suggested to leave at their earliest. Some of the dwellers with sound economic status managed to leave their home town while rest failed to do as it seemed hard to cut off the organic links with a land where they grew up. Unfortunately, neither public representatives nor civil administration and not any NGO voiced over the issue to make in time arragments of rehabilitation and the voice of masses failed to fell on deaf years of the authorities to avaid such a tragedy. Much more has been said and written on the disaster and meaningless to revisit the details of panic observed on site. Government, NGOs, regional civil administrations, intelligentsia, civil society members, electronic and print media and finally last not least bloggers playing remarkable role to highlight issues and kept viewers updated every moment.
Government managed to arrange helicopter service with the support of Disaster Management Authority under the directions of federal government to shift commuters stranded at Aliabad and Gulmit due pto prolong blockade of Hunza river and Karakorum High Way, the only land route access of Gojal, upper Hunza and central. Government officials claimed that process of rehabilitation of affectees was in final stage and expected to be materialized with in a month which is a good sign in the attitude of bureaucracy with feudal mindset. Sufficient relief goods have been contributed by philanthropist individuals, organizations and government and categorically available in case of emergency. The relief package for Inter Displaced People (IDPs) is effectively organized under the supervision of Deputy and Assistant Commissioner and was renewable on Febraury 17 for a specific period that contains daily essentials and edible items. There are some reports of resentment shown by IDPs over delay in rehabilitation process that emerged due to exaggerated claims of slide hit affectees on their possessions especially that of Sarat village. Helicopters continued to supply essentials on Wednesday in compliance with the pledges of Chief Minister to provide all possible support to all affectees of land slide. Besides re-opening of Pak-Chinese border to facilitate population of Shishkat, Ayeenabad, Gulmit and other cut off far flung valleys of Gojal,upper Hunza government officials are planning to extend boat service to Gulmit for the main bridge that link Shishkat and Gulmit on Hunza River is about to sink in blocked water.
According to available data, majority of Ayeenabad including twelve houses and lowere areas of Shishkat settlement have been submerged completely. Rising water level on naturally formed lake rose to 170 feet and stretched to about fifteen kilometers long leaving 10 houses submerged in Shishkat village and rest at low altitude have been evacuated.
On the other hand, both political and civil administration of Gilgit Baltistan is doing according to its capacity. Officials and workers of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and Northern Areas Power and Works Department (PWD) are delivering their best to make breach in gigantic debris surrounded by sheered mountain rocks with anxiety in red zone as the area has had volcanic activity that created visible cracks in rocks. According to an PWD engineer, there is no chance of sudden outburst of lake water for the stony debris is stretched at fifty degree against the prolong blocked water on river. The engineer further says that it will take at least three months to make a breach to release water systematically.
Chief Minister Mehdi Shah accompanied with Wazir Baig Speaker of house and other officials has vowed to extend every possible support to the affectees in the critical times saying such disasters are test of endurance of nations adding the disaster has had direct impact on Gilgit Baltistan region too. The presence of public representatives serves to appease feeling of deprivation among the masses emerged following suspension of chopper services due to bad climatic conditions.
Regional government has managed the issue effectively by ensuring boat service as an alternative. We through this medium would like to urge both the political and civil administration to keep in touch with the affectees to address their genuine needs by eliminating communication gulf that emerge at a sudden unexpectedly. We would also request political parties, members of civil society and intelligentsia to come forward and keep their difference aside to join hands in hand to bring the affectees out of troubles. We hope, the nation will be able to come out of menace with better strategy and planning.
The writer is editor of Voice of Hunza, Readers Times, S.R.Times and GB Echo. He can be contacted at: jaashams@gmail.com
Government managed to arrange helicopter service with the support of Disaster Management Authority under the directions of federal government to shift commuters stranded at Aliabad and Gulmit due pto prolong blockade of Hunza river and Karakorum High Way, the only land route access of Gojal, upper Hunza and central. Government officials claimed that process of rehabilitation of affectees was in final stage and expected to be materialized with in a month which is a good sign in the attitude of bureaucracy with feudal mindset. Sufficient relief goods have been contributed by philanthropist individuals, organizations and government and categorically available in case of emergency. The relief package for Inter Displaced People (IDPs) is effectively organized under the supervision of Deputy and Assistant Commissioner and was renewable on Febraury 17 for a specific period that contains daily essentials and edible items. There are some reports of resentment shown by IDPs over delay in rehabilitation process that emerged due to exaggerated claims of slide hit affectees on their possessions especially that of Sarat village. Helicopters continued to supply essentials on Wednesday in compliance with the pledges of Chief Minister to provide all possible support to all affectees of land slide. Besides re-opening of Pak-Chinese border to facilitate population of Shishkat, Ayeenabad, Gulmit and other cut off far flung valleys of Gojal,upper Hunza government officials are planning to extend boat service to Gulmit for the main bridge that link Shishkat and Gulmit on Hunza River is about to sink in blocked water.
According to available data, majority of Ayeenabad including twelve houses and lowere areas of Shishkat settlement have been submerged completely. Rising water level on naturally formed lake rose to 170 feet and stretched to about fifteen kilometers long leaving 10 houses submerged in Shishkat village and rest at low altitude have been evacuated.
On the other hand, both political and civil administration of Gilgit Baltistan is doing according to its capacity. Officials and workers of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and Northern Areas Power and Works Department (PWD) are delivering their best to make breach in gigantic debris surrounded by sheered mountain rocks with anxiety in red zone as the area has had volcanic activity that created visible cracks in rocks. According to an PWD engineer, there is no chance of sudden outburst of lake water for the stony debris is stretched at fifty degree against the prolong blocked water on river. The engineer further says that it will take at least three months to make a breach to release water systematically.
Chief Minister Mehdi Shah accompanied with Wazir Baig Speaker of house and other officials has vowed to extend every possible support to the affectees in the critical times saying such disasters are test of endurance of nations adding the disaster has had direct impact on Gilgit Baltistan region too. The presence of public representatives serves to appease feeling of deprivation among the masses emerged following suspension of chopper services due to bad climatic conditions.
Regional government has managed the issue effectively by ensuring boat service as an alternative. We through this medium would like to urge both the political and civil administration to keep in touch with the affectees to address their genuine needs by eliminating communication gulf that emerge at a sudden unexpectedly. We would also request political parties, members of civil society and intelligentsia to come forward and keep their difference aside to join hands in hand to bring the affectees out of troubles. We hope, the nation will be able to come out of menace with better strategy and planning.
The writer is editor of Voice of Hunza, Readers Times, S.R.Times and GB Echo. He can be contacted at: jaashams@gmail.com
Worry on the Chilas tragedy; reservations of affectees to be adressed, massacre result of voilent agitation following peaceful protest: Mehdi Shah
CHILAS, Feb. 27: Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan has said that action will be taken against those involved in the Chilas firing tragedy. Security forces had allegedly 
opened fire on protestors last week killing at least and numerous injured. He was talking to media persons during his visit to Chillas, the Diamer district headqaurter to condole to the respective families. He said that judicial action will be taken against those involved in the incident without any favour. He said that victims of the icidents have been compensated and administration was directed to be vigilant to any situation to ensure peace in the region. " The work on construction of dam will be started after payment of compensation to win the hearts of all affectees," he added. Courtesy: Voice of Hunza
opened fire on protestors last week killing at least and numerous injured. He was talking to media persons during his visit to Chillas, the Diamer district headqaurter to condole to the respective families. He said that judicial action will be taken against those involved in the incident without any favour. He said that victims of the icidents have been compensated and administration was directed to be vigilant to any situation to ensure peace in the region. " The work on construction of dam will be started after payment of compensation to win the hearts of all affectees," he added. Courtesy: Voice of HunzaApproval of Charter of demand on Diamer Basha Dam our ultimate end: C.M
Beauro Report
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 26: Approval of Charter of demand on Diamer Basha Dam was our ultimate end and the efforts would be made to achieve it. These views were expressed by Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah during a meeting with members Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly Mowlana Sarwar Shah, Haji Janbaz Khan, Haji Rehmat Khaliq and Haji Gulbar on Monday in Capital. The delegation make informed chief minister about the prevailent situation, difficulties to people affected by construction of Diamer Basha Dam. They demanded of government to make efforts for the approval of charter of demand regarding construction of Diamer Dam.They also demanded equivalent payment of land consumed and proper rehibilitation of affectees. Mr.Shah assured the delegation saying approval of charter of demand for the construction of dam will be given top most priority.Sunday, February 21, 2010
LBP and PYF organizes protest demonstration against killing of protestors; registration of FIR against offenders demanded
Press Release
ISLAMABAD, Feb.21: Labour Party Pakistan and Progressive Youth Front Jointly organized a protest demo in front of national press club to voice against the incident took place in Diamer District. According to details, hundreds of students assembled at Islamabad press club to record protest of killings of unarmed protesters on pretext of attack on PWD office on Thursday. Holding play cards, and banners, protesters chanted slogans against the state brutality and killing of victim of Diamar Bhasha Dam of Chillas during a peaceful demonstration Feb 18 by local police.
Speakers like Baba Jan, Chief Organizer, Progressive Youth Front, Hunza Chapter and General secretary, Labour Party Pakistan Nisar Shah Advocate on the occasion during their speech paid due tribute to those all lost their lives in the interest of the region.They condemned government for using state machinery and state brutality against the public.The killing incident resulted following peaceful and unarmed demonstration against Diamar Bhasha Dam at Chillas on February 18 by local police. The demonstrators also chanted slogans: zalmo jawab do khoon ka hisab dow and demanding inquiry into incident . They also demanded registration of FIR against the murderers of victims, press release read. It is pertinent to tell our readers that the killing incident of public resulted into turmoil and sever agitation and ultimately blocked of Karakorum High way for many hours in Chillas limits.
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