Protests and Strikes in Hunza against the assasination of Benazir Bhutto
As Benazir Bhutto’s body was laid to rest, like all over Pakistan and Occupied Kashmir protests broke out across Northern Areas. In this regard a complete strike and procession was observed on December 28 in Hunza to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto. All the educational, business, financial, government and semi-government institutions remained closed and all kinds of traffic also remained jam on KKH. Processions were taken out from various parts of Gojal, Shinaki and Central Hunza.
Later the protesters gathered at College Chowk Aliabad and blocked the traffic whole the day. They offered funeral-in-absentia for the departed soul of Benazir Bhutto. The procession was attended by people from all walks of life and political leaning to express their anguish and protest the recent brutal killing of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Traders and the educated segment of the society expressed complete solidarity with PPP activists and joined PPP hands to mourn this ghastly tragedy. Activists chanted slogans in favour of Late Benazir and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and demanded to trace out the real culprits of the incident. Wazir Baig, Former member NALC, Ghulam Muhammad, Senior leader PPP, Lal Hussain, Aziz Jan, Chairman UC and many other party leaders and notables spoke over the protest. They expressed deep sorrow over the brutal tragedy and offered tribute to the PPP leader who they said stood for democracy and uplift of the masses. The speakers praised the contribution of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to abolish the Mirdom in Hunza and free the local people from taxes and other oppresses. They said that Benazir was a hope for a Secular Pakistan and promised to work on the mission of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.In Gojal there is a complete shutter down in Sost and Gulmit towns for 3 days to mourn the ghastly assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Hundreds of people from Passu to Shishkat demonstrated in Gulmit and Khyber to Misgar in Sost. All schools, shops, Sost Dry Port and other institutions are close for 3 days.
Fathia Khawani will be held on Sunday 30 in Aliabad, Hunza. People from Hunza and Nagar will participate in this event.
I appreciate that people in Hunza valley have the willingness to vent their political emotions by organizing such protests and processions.
However, I question the methods used by so-called JIYALAS in Gulmit, in particular. Reports have it that some activists of the PYO forced shop owners to shut their businesses. They even threatened the students and teachers at Al Amyn Model School with “stone pelting”, if the school was not closed.
Shall we follow path of the illiterate and ignorant activists? Do they really know the ideas and ideals of their party? If not are not there some people who have the courage and the wisdom to sop such activities in Gojal valley?
As you know Hunza has been already a centre of flames for political reasons with the hands of activists from neibouring regions in the past being the capital placein here..
It seems some negative effect that people are slowly getting here that and I am fear if the examplary peaceful people in the world go in this way in future to any extreme.Then we will lose thelast hope in the area towards peaceful politics and civilise aproach in demonstrations.
I hope Hunza will play its role in regional and national politics with a remarkable example of peaceful approach,non voilance strategy and and traditional politeness.
Akhtar Ali
Gilgit
(I have contacted the school administrations and local councils about the news that activists have thrown stones to school. It is now confirmed that there has been no such incidence through out Hunza valley.)
I have contacted the school administration and local councils in hunza and there has been no reports of throwing stone on school or school childrens throughout hunza valley.
So it is requested to please dont provoke emotions and dissiminate wrong informations. To discuss and dissiminate informations, we must take care to use words in educated ways so for long time we can develop network of people with different interest groups for common good of our valley.