Archive for May 2nd, 2008
Op-Ed: Life threatening messages and Volunteer of Pamir Times
by Aejaz Karim (Washington)
It is really shocking to read this news today. It is also depressing that the Vadera politics has taken root in our peaceful society whereby the self labeled political leaders, having the redundant mentality of 18th century, are trying to establish their writ on people through illegal, unethical and depraved means. They use their influence and links to exploit them and utilize the state machinery in order to keep the people under control. But, it must be known that ours is not a society of the 18th century. We are no more isolated community being ruled by some “heaven born” ruler. This society is full of literate and thoughtful minds; it is full of skillful hands and independent soul whose survival is no more linked to the willingness of any particular person or specific group. It is also a matter of fact that education has given each and every person a power: the power of distinguishing between good and bad; between legal and illegal and between virtue and vice. Furthermore, education has given them the power to speak and stand against all kind of negative forces no matter who they are.
Over the past few years media and communication has made a tremendous progress. Time has gone when there used to be only one telephone set in the whole Hunza valley and only one person having access to the media. Now each and every person has access and control over both. Today even a 10 years old kid can influence the entire world community through the meaningful use of the internet. Thanks to this advancement the bleak and propaganda journalism has very little place in today’s world. People want to see, listen and know the facts supported by evidences. Just news or statement issued by “some authority” is not enough to manipulate the masses. Unfortunately recently regarding to the Sost Dry Port issue the local media-newspapers and even GEO TV followed the wasted tradition of negative propaganda which is contradictory to their own values as well as the ethics of journalism.
Life threat- it has always been the strength of effective tool to stop the efforts of those who rose against all kinds of exploitation and the vicious interests of the ruling elites. It was not unexpected and is not unexpected for the volunteers of Pamir Times. Let me tell “you” something, PT does not represent the interests of any political force, neither is a tool to manipulate the public opinion wrongly. It is the name of an effort started by some creative and innovative minds in order to keep the entire world aware of the realities. It is an effort to bring forth what progress is being made in our part of the world, by whom and how? It is a community journalism initiative having no roots in other resources for funding or benefits so it has nothing to lose. It has its roots in the enlightened and progressive community of Hunza: the community which is no more confined within the mountains of Karakoram, but is an active part of a global community. Pamir Times could be published form any part of the world because information and media has no boundaries and could not be restricted. Threatening Zulfiqar or Noor Muhammad will not stop Pamir Times from exploring and exposing the truth. Therefore such threats and harassment will never work – they will backfire.
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The writer is a grautate of Brandies University, USA. He has also studied at MIT and Harvard. He belong to Gojal, Hunza.
10 comments May 2, 2008
Modesty.Culture.Respect
Prince Rahim, Princess Khaliya and Prince Hussain attending a gathering in Africa
1 comment May 2, 2008
Asst. Collector Sost custom stresses media personnel to present positive image
Hunza, April 02: The Assistant Collector, Sost Custom, Dr. Imran Massod Khan has stressed media reportersto present facts and positive image of the region in order to attract traders to use this route for trade. He was talking with media reporters yesterday at Sost Dry Port after resuming his office.
He said, the port issue is between two rivals trustees groups and we will not interfere in this issue. He said that our policy is to facilitate traders in order to generate revenue and boost economy. On a question from a reporter, he said that i will discuss with port authorities to ensure safety of the trade goods within the port premises.
3 comments May 2, 2008
Volunteers of Pamir Times receiving life threatening messages
The volunteers of Pamir Times are receiving threatening and harassing calls and messages from a group of people to stop presenting facts about Sost dry Port. The same people are also using the relatives of PT voluteers to pressurise and force them to stop reporting events of local interests.
The team of PT reaffimrs their commitments to continue defending the interests of local community without compromising the ethics of journalism to present the truth. We also invite such individuals to use Pamir Times as a platform to rationally discuss and present their informed views related to issues of common interest
9 comments May 2, 2008
Chinese partners receive historical reception at Sost Dry Port
Photo credits: Zulfiqar, Abdul Hameed, Ali Nazar, Mir Baz
Hunza, May 01: The new cabinet, shareholders and local community offered a very warm reception to the Chinese management at Khunjerab pass and Sost Dry Port. A large number of people from across Hunza had gathered at the Sost port to show solidarity with the new cabinet and welcome the Chinese partners to officially open the port for trade. The new cabinet presented local cultural gifts to the esteemed guests. There was jubilation everywhere as people danced to the tone of music, sending messaged embedded with the essence of peace, tranquility and traditional compassion to all corners of the world.
The local leaders in their speeches highlighted the history and sacrifices of local community in establishing the region’s only dry port. They condemned the misinformation propagated by vested interest groups through local and national media against the peace loving local community, be calling them to be miscreants and ill-wishers of Sino – Pak friendship. They reaffirmed their commitments to work together to enable the local community in availing the strategic opportunities presented by geographic attributes of the region. The representatives of Chinese management team thanked the local community for the historical reception.
Later on the Chinese management visited different offices and warehouses in presence of local administration and media to check the seals on doors.
It was decided that an ad-hoc committee comprised of 5 directors will look after the port affairs till any further decision is made as a result of the May 5 meeting called by KANA division in Islamabad.
The Chief Excutive NAs. Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan had been working as Chairman of the trust since its establishment. He was facing a great resistance from majority of shareholders and landowners for not streamlining their shares in company. The local community has donated 201 kanal of land as well as huge amounts were also received from local Village and Women Organizations during initial phases of the project. Apparently set procedures were not following while obtaining these shares and, thus, the poor local people were deprived of their valuable capital. Later on the local shareholders were totally sidelined from the port affairs.
Efforts were made from different parties to peacefully resolve the issue however the vested interest group always used their political influences to continue its control by violating trust bye-laws. For this reason 2/3 of the shareholders called the Annual General Meeting and elected new cabinet to take over the port. The new cabinet took over the port on April 24 with the help of local community. Since then the vested interest groups are propagating misinformation against the new cabinet and local community by calling them ill-wishers and miscreants.
5 comments May 2, 2008
