“Dry Port problem is entirely an internal issue”, says Chief Executive
Hunza, May 21: The Chief Executive of Northern Areas, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan has said that the Sost Dry Port problem is entirely an internal issue and we can solve it by sitting with our own people. He was addressing the International Journalism Day Seminar organised by Gilgit Union of Journalist and Gilgit Press Club in collaboration of Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan. He said that some people with the help of Government machinery are trying to unnecessarily complicate the dry port issue. He expressed his hope that media will help to calm down the issue peacefully.
He said, to identify the weaknesses and problems in Government functionaries and highlight social problems is true journalism. He regarded journalists as the ears and eyes of the society.
This news clip compelled me to ask myself certain questions in order to understand the overall situation-I will call it a sharp ‘U’ turn by the chief. Let me share those questions with you all, if you can make me understand it.
1. Infect SDP is ‘entirely an internal issue’, but who externalized it? What were their calculations before doing so?
2. We also believe that it could be settled internally, but who jeopardized the internal efforts, especially efforts made by the Ismaili Regional Council for Hunza? Who underestimated the internal efforts?
3. How and why those people who were ill-wishers, miscreants and threat to Pak-China friendship few days ago became ‘our own people’?
4. What does ‘unnecessarily complicate’ mean?
5. If ‘identifying the weaknesses and problems in Government functionaries and highlight social problems is true journalism’, than why have the volunteers of Pamir Time been pressurized through various means to stop playing this role?
6. ‘Journalists are the ears and eyes of the society’, if they…..?
I am also unable to understand the contextual relationship between the International Journalism Day and SDP issue.
dry port issue is been raised by mr chief executive ghazanfar only for his personal intrest..he has tried to make slave an independent ethinic group(hunzukuz) by his some blasphamous comments….so now for him nothing lefts to be a chief executive of an area…
To be or not to be that is now the question , what should he the Chief should do.
Dear readers , we all no that he has all negative power and never he we will leave for peace. At the moment in Gojal and hunza their are not individuals but families present who can still go up to any mark to help built the losing glory of their beloved gazan.
We all have to be very active and careful about ever step . because when a whild maneater is wounded ,it can do any thing to save his survival
Thanks God that Khan Sahab has come into sense after hybernation of power-intoxication.
Yes Khan Sahab! We were also of the same opinion that the Dryport issue was totally an internal statte affairs, but you didn’t realise it. Internal means not in terms of one’s family monoply rather internal in terms of organizational matter.
But unfortunately, you along with your family members and few externals negatively polticised this genuine communally organizationaal affair as endangering issue of Sino-Pak relationships. Isn’t it a pity? Who were your rediculous advisors?
Why did you were advise to term the naive community members, individual male and female shareholders, at individual and organizatioal level as ill-wishers and miscreants? Why didn’t you yourself thought from your own mind about such terms extended to the community? How come you can now say to sit with your own people and settle this issue? Why didn’t you opt for it ealier?
Do you think that journalists are ears and eyes? I would disagree. Members of different society are the ears and eyes being silent viewers and listeners of the issues but are mute by any reasons. Media persons and journalists go beyond viewers and listners rather are the tongue of the peoples. They bring forward the issues and problems through responsible and objective reporting.
Khan Sahab has mentioned: “some people with the help of Government machinery are trying to unnecessarily complicate the dry port issue”.
1) Khan Sahab! Once you say that journalists are your ears and eyes, and now in this statement you mention that some people make the port issue unnecessarily complicated. Who are these people? It was more exposed to the people within and out of the region by the journalists. So isn’t here contraditoin in your own statement?
2) You blame some people (may be you point towards the new cabinet) and teh government machinary made the issue uncessarily complicated. What do you mean by government machinaries? You yourself are head of the government of the Northern Areas of Pakistan being Chief Executive. Are you going to blame yoursefl? Or the Federal Govt? Or do you mean by the head of the bureacracy (Chief Secretary)? Are these government machinaries in the so-caled Northern Areas? If yes, then you are blaming yourself? If not, then where is your power? Is the power only to “uncessarily and negatively excercise on your own people and to malign them?
Khan Sahab has desired the journalists to “identify the weaknesses and problems in Government functionaries and highlight social problems is true journalism”.
You are right Khan Sahab. This is what the local journalist community and media is endeavoring to. The Dry port issue was a big and genuine issues pertaining with the CE of the Government of the Northern Areas and a social and economic issue as well. But that is not acceptable to you and all those who have got totally their vested interests in the communal cause. If you support journalists of your region, then why you and/or your supporters threatened the voluntary journalists of your region, if you regard them as ears and eyes?
Khan Sahab! If you have learnt a good and true lesson out of the recent issue, so please come foward and take a step towards the “Constiutional Rights of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Come up with invigorated will along with your members of the so-called NALA. The writers, journalists, the media, lawyers and advocates plus other CSO would support you, if you have a strong will, capability and determination.
I PERSONALLY DISAGREE WITH THE CHIEF EXECTIVE (KHAN SAAB). THAT IS ACTUALLY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE LOCAL PEOPLE OF GOJAL-UPPER PART OF HUNZA AND KHAN SAAB.
THE LOCAL PEOPLE DONATED THEIR LAND AND TOOK SHARE OF DIFFERENT VALUES MINIMUM OF Rs. 10,000/- TO MAXIMUM NO LIMIT. ABOUT 124 SHARE HOLDERS, THE LAND OWNERS AND PEOPLE OF GOJAL, HUNZA AND NORTHERN AREA ARE THE MAIN RIGHT HOLDERS, TO RECORD THE MAIN SHARE HOLDER IS KVO WITH Rs. 1.8 MILLION.
BUT, IN SPITE OF ALL FACTS ABOVE NARRATED, KHAAN SAAB CAPTURED ON IT.
KHAN SAAB NOT ONLY GRASPED ON THE PORT BUT HIS SON BIT AND INSULTED FEW OF THE VERY RESPECTED PERSONS OF THE AREA AND STARTED PLAYING TACTICS TO DISTURB THE PEACEFUL AREA AT LARGE.
AT LAST I WANT TO PUT SOME VERY COMMON QUESTIONS TO KHAN SAAB:
DURING HIS TANURE WHAT THE WELFARE WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN SOOST, WILL U LIKE TO SHARE WITH US AS BEING A NATIVE FROM THE AREA WE WANT TO KNOW???
WHY THE LOCAL VILLAGERS WERE CONFINED IN THEIR VILLAGES (WITH THE HELP OF POLICE AND FC) WHEN PRESIDENT MUSHARAF WAS ON OPENING CEREMONY VISIT TO SOOST?
IS THERE DRINKABLE WATER AVAILABLE IN SOOST, OR TILL THE PEOPLE ARE DRINKING MUDDY WATERS IT WAS 100 YEARS AGO????
DOES KHAN SAAB ARRANGED ANY WELFARE PROJECT FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OR ONLY SHIFTED MONEY TO DUBAI AND OTHER PLACES??? IF NOT WHY?????
DOES HE NOT SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN THAT THE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE CULPRITS, MISCREANTS ETC. (RECORD AVAILABLE ON GOJAL NET) AND NOW HE IS SAYING THAT, HE LL SIT WITH HIS OWN PEOPLE, IS THERE NOT CONTRADICTIONS IN HIS OWN STATEMENTS????
IN CONCLUSIONS, I BEING FROM THE AREA REQUEST FROM THE KHAN SAAB TO REALIZE THE POWER OF THE MASS AND ACTUAL OWNER OF OF THE PORT SPECIALLY KVO WHOM ARE THE MAJOR SHARE HOLDER AND INVESTOR.
TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT, THIS IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE AT ALL, IN ANY RESPECT, IT IS ONLY GAME OF PERSONAL GAINS AND BENEFITS ON DINT OF POWER AND DIPLOMACY. I CONGRATS THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION THAT THEY STAND UP WITH THE TRUTH—— AND REQUEST TO REST OF THE GOVT MACHINERY TO LEARN FORM THEM
TRUTH HAS ITS OWN POWER——-
Baig Sahab,
Excellent Questions and Justifications, I fully (100%) agree with your views and comments.
Shah Zaman
Islamabad
I agree with the questions raised by Mr Baig Ali Sb that during the visit of President Musharaf to the opening of the SRDP why the respectd elders and notables of the valley was disgraced and not allowed to the program but were forced to stay away through the poltice force and FC. We had high expectations from you while CE (Khan Sb) became Deputy Chief Executive and then Chief Executive to resove the consitutional issue of the NAs instead of control the economy of the Dry Port as I myself am also a shareholder.
I agree with Musofir, if you are a true nationalist, then come forward to fight for the rights of the deprived people of the Northern Areas.We’ll support you.
Dear Baig Ali
I thought that time and other affairs have put a posse to your stright words and free mind speach.
BOSS BUT YOU ARE STILL YOUNG AND HAVE ALL THAT EVERY YOUTH DESIRES TO HAVE.
All your points are on the target and the KaKa must answer it.
well he has answered it all. It’s the personal issue of Gojal and only Gojal has to go for their future. People from Hunza have the power to help and guide them and no more than that. In addition, know we should not resolve it at local level but the whole country should look at the dirty they have been putting in Hunza in both the lower and upper area.
We SHOULD LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT AND THAN WE SHOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
It is also the time to the Gojali to have a separate seat at NA. Starting from Shiskat to Misrag and Chipursun. The only we can work for the cause.
Thanks for the brilliant work of Gojal.net for their generous contribution. Let me share few words about the previous comments/postings without focusing any particular names or personalities: I appreciate your opinion for demanding a separate NALA seat for Upper-Hunza. However, it could be better to think in a broader perspective rather to stick to Gojal or KVO or village level interests. Hunza is not the name of few villages such as Karimabad and Aliabad, as there is famous sayings “Kilik sum Mayoon, or Khizerabad to Chipursun”. Of course Gojal is the name of a particular Tehisil and have its own identity but we cannot live in isolation. On the other hand regarding the issue of SDP, I know many of the people who are commenting on gojal.net but their elders are still kissing the hands of Mr. Ghazanfar Ali Khan and his family members. So, how can we expect or trust on those guys. I would like to suggest that before posting any comment we should keep in mind the realities instead of any likes, dislikes avoiding from any biasness’.
There is huge discontentment across the Hunza valley for the policies pursued by Ghazanfar for the last many decades. People are equally aghast at his elitist mentality and crude behavior towards members of the public on several occasions. Now people have completely lost faith in his leadership.
Those who favour and support him advance the argument that he has got connections in the government therefore he is far-more capable than other contenders of political leadership. The implicit message is that Ghazanfar will use his clout and influence in power cricles to bring development projects to our area. But now he seems to be loosing his so called influence in the power cirlces as well, it is relevant to ask as to what is the use of Ghuzamfar, now?
The dry port issue and subsequent response has clearly demonstrated his lack of commitment to public welfare. Imagine what Ghunzafar would have said if the outcome of SDP was in his and his son’s favour. He would have said nothing and simply he would have disappeared into oblivion once again to loot and plunder the economic opportunities at the Port.
Musofir seems to be still ambivalent when he says that should Ghunzanfar advance our nationalist cause people would come in their million to support him. I assert that this is an idea drawn on the sand. It is so because we cannot trust Ghuzanfar’s commitment to such a lofty, dare i say sacred cause. We need new visionary leadership with immaculate history behind them. We need people with revolutionary zeal and those who demonstrate a consistent commitment to our cause of demanding our constitutional rights. Simply, we cannot trust Ghazanfar for such a role.
Finally i would say that ‘azmayay howay ko azmana bewaqoofi hai’. I think we have tested Ghazanfar time and again on several occasions for the last more than two decades. Now the breeze of change should engulf our region and politically conscious and morarally superior activits should seek to ditch Guzamfar, for ever and for good.
ali al-Hakim
Thanks Merkhaz i appreciate yours coments
The SDP is a very simple straight forward issue. Those people or organisations, who have rented land and have got shares in SDP Company own it. Gazanfar ownership of SDP is only as much as his shares are worth. I don’t know how many shares he has got in the company? The only reason he is trying to complicate the issue is to confuse the masses and hence continue with the looting and plundering which he and his cronies have been involved in for the past five years.
As i agree with the coment of Mr Baig Ali and thankful to the members of Gojal Net for thier services to update the news of day to day.as GHAZANFAR had requested the people of sost to solve the PORT ISSUE BY SITTING TOGETHER and said that it is a internal issue MAY I ASK HOW IT IS INTERNAL IsSUE?
AS GHZANFAR AND HIS GANG ARE LOUTING AND DOING INJUSTICE WITH THE PEOPLE F SOST MAY I ASK THREE YEARS SPENDED AND HAD HE GIVEN ANY PROFIT AND COMPENSATION TO THE LANDLORDS
AS HE WAS A KING AT THAT TIME AND NOW ALL THE THING IS ABOLISHED AND NOW IN PRESENT WE ALL AT OUR LEVEL ARE KINGS
AS SOME PEOPLE RESPECT HIM AND KISS HIS HAND AS A MAN MENTIONED AT HIS COMENT IS TRUE AND WE SHOULD BE SHAMFUL FOR DOING SUCH ACTION
AS ALLAH THE GREAT IS ONE WE ALL ARE TO BOW AND RESPECT FOR HIM
THANKS
I appreciate the comments of Merkhaz to think in broader perspective; that is, think globally and act locally.
We all can understand better that world is a place of problems (masaayilistaa). The problems and issues vary from individual to individual, from family to family, from society to society, from culture to culture, and from place to place. When problems are identified at any level (as specified above), the solutions are also traced and found within them.
Let me attempt for a logic, if I can. An individual becomes part/member of a family; a family becomes part of a lineage & clan. An clan as a member of village. A village as a part of a sub-region/region. A region as a part of a broader region and a country. Thus, it goes beyond to the globe. Now, when we discuss about issues and prolbems v/s development, we need to keep such levels of identities into account. We need not to be reluctant.
If you agree with this logic, if there is any (otherwise correct and educate me please if you disagree), then there could be logic if people understand or demand to have a separate membership of Gojal in the so-called NALA) to address their genuine fundamental issues and rights.
You’re right to say that Hunza is from Kilik to Mayun or now as Khizerabad to Chipursan (again depicting and unifiying the three sub-regions of Hunza (Gojal, Central Hunza & Shinaki). These are the identities and sub-identities. Why you have your name? This is your identity at individual level. Thus, you have your father’s name or granpa’s name to authenticate your identities then passing on to the regional identities at village, regional and country level identities.
Gojal, you rightly mentioned, is a tehsil (an adminstrative identity) dwelled by the soociolinguistic and religio-poltical identities). We can not evade from these identities) rather to accept these identities (pluralistically) and hear their views (possessing develpment issues and challenges).
The Burusho people term Gojal as Herbar (weeping ravine); on the other hand, besides Gojal (from Turkish as “take force or reinforcement”), the Wakhi people term this region as Ghxar Xhidx (Steep mountain). In this manner, the Wakhi linguistic group terms Central Hunza as Kuejuedx (meaning needs to traced, one extraction comes out of this word roughly is “Kuenj–a small entrance place–like plac”. And the people are called Kuejudxik, dwellers of Kuejeu;dx. Likewise, you know better Shinaki (the place of Shin people). So, we cannot neglect these internal identities. It neverever then means to leave out our identity of Hunza. This a trademark for us. We must not shyaway or otherwise. This is also very important to note when we talk about the geographical identities that the entire Hunza (Shinaki to Gojal) is scattered on more than 11,000 sq km; and out of this much area, Gojal has got its big Chunk of territory spreadover an area of more than 9,000 sq km. I would therefore request that the Gojalis to please proudly take the ownership of being Hunzai identity. Don’t hesitate.
The leaders from Central Hunza (Kuenjuedx) also must take into accounts this true phenomenon. They are requested not to confine this identity only from Murtazabad to Sarat, which I myself have heard many times from the Burusho people. Thus, intensifying all development activities in Central Hunza. Take examples of the government degree colleges, Aga Khan Higer Secondary scool for girls, two government hospitals (Karimabad and Aliabad), Internet Services, Forts’ restoration, KADO’s develpment projects,etc etc. Why in such cercumstances, the leaderships at different level do not think in broader perspectives? The broader perspectives in the region is to see form the perspective of Gojal Hunza. It is this region (Gojal) that makes not only Hunza significant but rather makes Pakistan as a strategic country through its international borders with China and Afghanistan. Please go through one of my articles published in Dawn and available on the Internet (write in Google Search Gojal, the backbone of Hunza). Herein you’ll find out the genuine isues of this most important region in the neart of Asia (see the world map).
AS THROUGH THE COMMENT I ADVISE AND SUGGUEST TO THE PEOPLE OF SOST AND NAZIMABAD TO REJECT THE REQUEST OF GHAZANFAR TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BY SITTING TOGHTER .
WE SHOULD CONDEMM HIM AND NOT NEED HIS HELP AS HE REQUESTED.
HE IS NOT A MEMBER OF PORT AND GO GHAZANFAR GO YOU ARE A SELF INTERESTED PERSON AS THE PEOPLE GAVE THEIR PRESIOUS VOTE AND WHAT YOU DID FOR THEM.
Dear Markaz
In answer to your, to your comment on the issue which I suggested. Dear Markhaz, with a separate seat or representation we can be Isolated . That can be little narrow , what you are talking ,which Global and other aspect your talking. We a not still not recognize as yet , first of all we need to prove our identification so the world can listen to our voice.
According to you without center Hunza we will be isolated ,and narrow minded , But Next you are saying that people are still bowing or kissing Gazan . Im bit confused first you donot want to leave your present status but at the same time your against the slavery.
Here I must, cote (not the exact words ) words from the Holy Quran . In the Holy book it said that I have divided you all into different casts, families and types so you can understand one another perfectly.
While in another place, it says that Stated the progress and development and any act from yourself, immediate family and then spread it on.
We first need recognition our roots and have to start working for the development.
Moreover, your right Hunza is not just Karimabad, Aliabad and Alitit or Balthith it starts from Khunjrab and ends at the last bridge of Sanaki.
Still we need a separate representation that is the only resolving and achieving issue. For how many years you will stop to speak and always listen and bow to others. I will always go for a separate identification (that we are) and if any one calls it a narrow mined issue, so be it, I’m proud of it.
Nazeer (Zeeqlu)
i fully agree with the comments of Ali-al Hakim.I really commend what he writes. Ghuzamfar or(khan saap) has been tested for years. As a result he has given shambles and embarrasements to his own people infront of those who are thirsty for the blood of Hunzukutz. Now the time has arrived to make Khan sahab and his family run away even from hunza, as our ancestors use to do in the ancient times. The people of Hunza and gojal have made him and his family Rulers, Now these people will make them way off. Better he understands the power of hunzukutz, and make him self get back, unless he will have to face dire consquences.
Dear All
We have been discussing the issue of SDP for last many months. We saw what happened, who did what. The SDP is right now in the hands of the local people, as far as my knowledge about the getting control over SDP is the local strength. The youth from hunza and gojal have made it possible by making practical efforts and taking different risks.I respect the views of the Contributers but let me share my own views.
What we have have done till now, we all are talking against the authorirties or the responsibles. it is really a good way to share and make a plateform to bring the people together but there should be some thing practical. I am talking about Gojal, today the govt is making us fool in just making a proper system of electricity and we could not have made it proper. No voice is ready to rise,if it rises it is made silent by the police or agencies. we in fear of loosing personal or indivisual benefits stop thinking about the area or the people. So how can we demand a seat of our own from NALA. The idea is very nice but how, how it can be put in a practical shape.
You Wanna change, you Wanna talented and rational leadership then nominate a young leader from gojal who is agree to contest elections. Be united and support him and motivate people to vote him. then change is possible, other wise we will only make debates and the same politicians will again grab the opportunities to loot the area.
AMJAD (AAJ TV)
OPEN LETTER TO PEOPLE OF HUNZA AND GHAZANFAR
Mr. Ghazanfar has rightly commented and I agree with him that “Sost Dry port is our internal issue”. I am sure this will raise the eye brow of many readers and commentators, but I have reason to say this, and I am sure people will agree with me.
I am adherent reader of Pamir Times, I deeply go through the news items and comments of different commentators posted on PT. Going through different comments I feel inconsistency in our approaches and are drifting from one position to another, rooming around without any direction, a slight weave of wind changes our direction, our tunes, and our priorities. Our inner self is not satisfied, we are trying to express our inner self but our thoughts and words are not supporting it. All the time we are posing different questions to different people just to got some inner satisfaction our unique complexes. Do we ever try to know what is the problem with us? We got this a very easy way of escape the problem by riding bandwagon (popular slogan) of the day, and wait for other the next day.
The basic thing which I believe is the crux of all illness to our society in modern age is lack of SELF IDENTITY AND DIRECTION. Our society is transforming, our values and norms are changing, we are rapidly moving from nomadic agrarian society to commercial capitalist society, this fast growth as has outpaced us, and plunged us in disparity.
Commercialism is a new phenomenon faced by our, which having its own value system – which is contradicting our social norms and values. We are not familiar with business norms like “business is a business and cup of tea is a cup of tea” being product of nomadic agrarian society, we always try to mix them up.
We are still unable to understand the basic concept of business that ones services is others business and ones business is other services, When I ask my father why we hoard cattle’s lets others do it and we will purchase from them if we need that, I always got very harsh comments like “if I die, you will be out for purchase rather burring me”.
Identity Self and values has a special place in human nature; Life goals depend and are influenced by one’s view of what one is like, the way one would like to be, and what is feasible them. Conceptions of self affect one’s progress, his view of the society, his surrounding, his interpersonal relations, his expression of emotions, and way of dealing his daily problems.
It will be interesting to know that there are 80 business interties in the world whose business ventures are larger then the our country, Pakistan, and are successfully running their business throughout the world for the last 100 and even 200 years. How??
The Hunzkuts were living in tiny valley in the north of Pakistan with tranquility and peace for 900 years, famous for their longevity, having distinct values, norms, cultures, unique way of leaving, and practicing best water management system in the world. How??
The common thing in their success story is their identification of “SELF”. Who they are, what they have to do, what is their priority, what they like and dislike, how they want to live? These are the questions one needs to answered before embarking on any venture.
Unfortunately we are lost… Politics, business, individuality, self governances are new norms for our society, which are eminent in modern age we can’t spare our self from these things, Do we have values and norms for practicing these modern way of livings, we are in between, we have abandoned our tradition way of living, we have acquired modern knowledge, entered main stream of modern age, without our values, norms, and culture.
YES these are our issues, we want to solve them our self, and it’s our internal issues, we will solve them as we did in the past.
If Ghazanfar thinks that he is part of the society, he must have to decide which norm and value he wants to share with society, if he wants, services and humbleness’ in politics, rather then despotic and cynical he is welcomed, if he wants transparency, accountability and fairness in business rather then accumulation and acquisition as family property, he is welcomed, If he wants to give respect and adhere the decision of the people rather then still declaring them his “rayads” he is welcomed.
Dear all,
First, let me share my reflection as a member of the society. It is my pleasure to read your comments about the Silk Route Dry Port Trust Sost issue. In fact it is a burning issue of the area from last three years. Many government and Imamati institutions tried their level best to resolve the issue on various forums but all in vain. Finally, the current set-up took the control but still waiting for legal power of transfer from the registrar. I hope the present set-up may not repeat the mistakes as they blame to their rival group. It could be a rational to involve only the shareholders (from Ghizer to the last corner of Hunza-Gojal) and landowners (Sost Gojal) and let their voice to be heard. If we reflect on the past practices of the federal government (Q-league) or the then bureaucracy from North have interruption in SRDP SOST affairs, whether it occurred implicitly or explicitly and the consequences were understood. In the same way if again there is no stake of the shareholders/landowners (Sost Gojal) and have high expectations from the present federal government (PPP and its coalition) or from the present bureaucracy from North; than I think there could be no such a difference between the former and the present set up. I do hope the present SRDP management will ensure transparency in every step to run the institution in a transparent way.
Secondly, it is my suggestion that there should be dialogue between the current and the former groups to resolve the issue for ever to boost-up the morale of the shareholders and the business community. I think there is no harm in dialogue. I think we should learn from the present scenario of international and national phenomenon of dialogue culture. For example, if the two rival parties of the country agreed upon the “Misaqi Jamhuriat London” or the NWFP government made agreement with Mulvi Sufi Muhammad than what is wrong to sit (members of one organization) with each other to resolve the issue peacefully. I hope both parties will sit together and make the business hub more attractive and manage the risks into opportunities. I am confident that the youths, leaders and common people of our community will contribute their efforts to resolve the issue in a peaceful manner.
Thirdly, being a former worker in Imamati and Jamati institutions, it is my experience that if personalities are strong than the institution’s become weak and if the institutions are strong in terms of financial transparency, good governance, and accountability than the institutions go to their optimum level or boom. So, we should focus on those measures instead of depending on personalities and even its true in our personal and professional life.
thanks for your patience
After going through to all the comments, arguments, suggestions, and condemnations, several questions provoked me,
Is he the only responsible for all the misconduct, and contravention?
What about those people f rom the community who supported him in this issue and is still doing because in the whole discussion it is nowhere discussed or highlighted.
I think first we need to strengthen ourselves, because we say a lot, but remains in the air.
We must awake those peoples who still believe in his doings.
If we talk about leadership, do we have such capable peoples, sorry to say in our country only being well educated doesn’t work to be a successful leader, you need to have a big heart and courage to fight for your right.
The effort of Pamir time is really appreciable to bring together us all, I hope that there is no political motives at the back,
Malang jon
From Darbar Sayien baba
Dear Malang Jon
You have plucked a very important string by raising these questions. I appreciate your critique of the discussion. I don’t think you have gone through all the posts/comments pertaining to the entire debate. I would invite you to kindly first go through the comments made by many of the active contributors and then, if still you can’t find whatever you are looking for, to discuss this aspect of the discussion, i.e. the role played by the local communities/or segments of the community.
Further thanks for appreciating the cohesive role played by Pamir Times. This appreciation and the spirit of participation have been the driving forces behind our efforts.
Talking about ‘political motives’ of the Pamir Times, let me clearly state at the outset that no movement for justice, spreading awareness, mobilization against rotten systems can work if it is not politcally motivated. I would like to know your definition of the term ‘politics’, by the way.
Wikipedia defines politics as ” the process in which groups of people decide who gets what”. They also say that politics ‘consists of social relations involving power and authority”.
For us politics is the art of mobilizing the public and attaining their birth rights, of justice, democracy, participation, empowerment, health, education and control over their own lives. And that is the ‘political motive’ that feuls this progressive engine, powered by the educated youth of Hunza and Gojal.
Yes we are politically motivated because we know that politics is one of the most important tools that can be used to determine what policies are made, who makes the policies and whether or not they are in the largest interests of the masses. We are also, directly into politics, because we are denting the power structures in our society by challenging them, inviting them to face the reality and by reminding them of what their duties in their respective elected positions are.
But if you wanted to imply that we are forwarding the political or election agenda of a certain party, you are not the first one to try that trick. Hard luck. This is one of the methods that people have used to malign the superior objectives and motivations of the volunteers who donate their time and knowledge.
Be that the PPPPPP or the PML (A-Z) or any other political party it is our duty and our right to demand justice, transparency, empowerment and other basic human facilities.
Before the emergence of Gojal Net/Pamir Times/Pamir News Blog, there hardly was any presence of community journalism in the region. These new voices, that are energetic, determined and objective, have thrilled some old fashioned pillars of lotacracy, plundering and nepotism. Frankly speaking, people in our society can’t resist doubting the motivations of the people, courtesy thier own standards of engagement, their own value systems and ethical principles.
We are there to stay. GOJAL NET or PAMIR TIMES doesn’t belong to a few individuals. It is a reflection of the hopes and aspirations of the the thousands of educated youth who want to promote justice, to depreciate the politics of manipulation and to establish the rule of law. We are determined to keep going. Individuals maynot be there but the motivation that PT has sparked shall continute in the decades to come, in a more organized, more mature, more refined and more ambitious manner.
And time will show that we wouldn’t hesitate in unearthing the others who would use/try to use dirty tricks to usurp rights of the masses.
By the way you could easily have said these words without being in the guise of “Malang Jon”. It would have added more credibilty to the sound feelings that you have shared.
Regards
Noor
Brevity is the soul of wit.
Noor! A thoughtful, responsible and comprehensive response. You rightly said for PT politics is nothing but awareness. You are also right that in order to bring more credibility and value to one’s comments or thoughts it is important not to be in the guise of something else….. Let the people know who is saying this. They might criticize you Initially, but ultimately will appreciate you.
all comments are on the face. exact story on the display, comments are the vive feelings of the dwellers. PTs stance to disseminate and eliborate the facts to public timely.my opinons are the same as hundreds of the inhabitants have.
Well done PT,for the great work always,the writting of contributors specially Baig ali sahib,ali al hakim,Musofir sahib and all.it is agreed that Khan Sahib has lost his credibility in public and there is no more room and capacity to accomodate him as a leader in the future.every test he failed for nearly two decades are incredible,failed to give the his leader ship reward to his so called NALA!!! i would comment here not for two decades,almost for A CENTURY OR MORE his predecers swayed for ages and looted our Poor ancestors, even snatched their meals by imposing undue taxes.and still their….so need to flush them out from the scene,
on his passed statment,SDP is an internal issue,yes every one feels and thinks it was internal issue.you made it national issue,OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT,PRIMEMINISTER AND THE REST…
all comments are on the face. exact story on the display, comments are the vive feelings of the dwellers. PTs stance to disseminate and eliborate the facts to public timely.my opinons are the same as hundreds of the inhabitants have.
Well done PT,for the great work always,the writting of contributors specially Baig ali sahib,ali al hakim,Musofir sahib and all.it is agreed that Khan Sahib has lost his credibility in public and there is no more room and capacity to accomodate him as a leader in the future.every test he failed for nearly two decades are incredible,failed to give,his leader ship reward to his so called NALA!!! i would comment here not for two decades,almost for A CENTURY OR MORE his predecors swayed for ages and looted our Poor ancestors, even snatched their meals by imposing undue taxes.and still their….so need to flush them out from the scene,
on his recent passed statment,SDP is an internal issue,yes every one feels and thinks it was internal issue.you made it national issue,OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT,PRIMEMINISTER AND THE REST…
indeed it is not advisable and wise to make SDP political issue,or influence in the SDP new system is not in good interest of locals.and political activities in the area.i feel will bring polorization and favouritism culture.which will indanger our unity and peace.so politics should be degraded in that part of ours,nor we have advised to be part of of politics by our superior leader.
what PT is thriving is not Politics nor i see any political agenda,it is a plate form from where people ofGilgit Hunza,gojal whole pakistan getting first hand informations,awarness and at top mobilizing the fresh bloods ,to stand for tomorrow challengs together also making youths understand about the prime obligations and rights.
Yes it is high time to resove the disputes internally,the disputes among villages in gojal area particularly “Pastures dispute”and other issues taking local and community institutions assitance.
i would say, PT to take notice of our Patures disputes,why we are spending our hard earning in the courts instead spending on youths denting and shaping their bright future
at the end i woudl say,Say more PT
Thanks Sharif Khan Sharif for your nice reflection. That is right that it is only and only dialouge whereby disputes can be resolved. And there should be room for dialogue.
There is a very famous Farsi saying (and we all are aware of it): “Mehr e Ali ki ne boshad, zarb e Ali”. Means deal first with respect and affection, but if it (the respect & affection) doesn’t work, strike (whether through pen or otherwise), and then bring bring around the table of dialouge.
We can observe that the internationa deplomacy and relations also revolve around this Farsi saying. And it is very natural in nature, I think.
Secondly, exemppliying the SRDP issue with the political deal of the previously rival parties, PPP and PML(N) or ANP’s deal with Sufi Mamad or others may not be more logical to compare with SRDPT issue. The nature is different, of course that is totally poltical. While the SRDP issue is not political rather it was polticised by Khan Sahab himself along with his group. Here it is totally the trust and mistrust issue between the direct stakeholders (shareholders & land-owners) and the hijackers in the previous cabinet on the issue of bad governance violating the byelaws of the Trust.
1) Okay Sharif, let’s regard our good suggestion, there should be dialogue now between the two groups, but around which parameters? How?
2) If Khan Sahab is a visionary political leader, why did he complained to General Musharraf and malighned your community (if you are a community leader, Sharif) by stigmatising them threat to the Sino-Pak relationships? Furthermore, he entitled your and our peaceful community members (male and female)as ill-wishers and miscreants? What could be done in this regard?
3) Why didn’t this farsighted poltical leader (Khan Sahab)or his intelligent advisors witin and out of his house opted for the dialouge before this phenomenion?
4) Why doesn’t Khan Sahab thinks before using his tongue rather than saying first and thinking later? What could be the penality in this regard? Come up with a solution please, if you are community leader.
5) What Khan Sahab, his immediate family and few others can do for the misdeeds and misconduct? And how to enable the environment for dialogue Sharif Khan?
6) Sharif! Do you think that Khan Sahab (Ghazanfer Ali)and his group are liable for a seroius penalty?
Hope to hear from you Sharif Soyib.
Dear Muofir,
Thanks for your quick response and imposing many questions; I may not be able to answer your questions. Let me clear that I have no personal affiliation or rivalry with any particular groups. I believe and trust in freedom of expression and expressed my own thoughts. It may differ from your point of view but I hink that is important to see things from different angles. I am always in favor of peaceful resolution of any issue with the consensus of the stakeholders. I do hope the present SRDP management will take imitative for dialogue by using their wisdom in the greater interest of the area and expect the same from their opponents to take lesson from their past practices.
I would like to appreciate the efforts of Pamir Times on this issue particularly Mr. Zulfiqar and Noor have written very informative articles and available on PT website. However, again, it is my motto to strengthen the institutions rather the personalities. I hope you will read between the lines and get message from it. I am not in favor of illegal dominancy of any personalities or families and always in favor of financial transparency, good governance and accountability. In my capacity I did my level best to raise my voices to settle the issue on those parameters but unfortunately it did not happen because of the personal interests of some influential personalities. I am deliberately not naming those personalities or families because it is similar to give them more importance and it will be equal to:
“Ya tho chalthi hay thujay uncha udanay kaliye” or similar to lend a hand to those elements.
From inception to date the history of the SRDP is on record even on this website; so I don’t want to repeat it. However, dialogue of the two groups will help to settle the issue and to run it smoothly in future.
Dear Muofir,
Thanks for your quick response and imposing many questions; I may not be able to answer your questions. Let me clear that I have no personal affiliation or rivalry with any particular groups. I believe and trust in freedom of expression and expressed my own thoughts. It may differ from your point of view but I hink that is important to see things from different angles. I am always in favor of peaceful resolution of any issue with the consensus of the stakeholders. I do hope the present SRDP management will take initiative for dialogue by using their wisdom in the greater interest of the area and expect the same from their opponents to take lesson from their past practices.
I would like to appreciate the efforts of Pamir Times on this issue particularly Mr. Zulfiqar and Noor have written very informative articles and available on PT website. However, again, it is my motto to strengthen the institutions rather the personalities. I hope you will read between the lines and get message from it. I am not in favor of illegal dominancy of any personalities or families and always in favor of financial transparency, good governance and accountability. In my capacity I did my level best to raise my voices to settle the issue on those parameters but unfortunately it did not happen because of the personal interests of some influential personalities. I am deliberately not naming those personalities or families because it is similar to give them more importance and it will be equal to:
“Ya tho chalthi hay thujay uncha udanay kaliye” or similar to lend a hand to those elements.
From inception to date the history of the SRDP is on record even on this website; so I don’t want to repeat it. However, dialogue of the two groups will help to settle the issue and to run it smoothly in future.
Thanks my friend (Sharif Khan) for your response.
First may I dare to say that my name is not Muofir rather Musofir. You’ave corrected “imitative” as “initative” but few others hae remained, which decodes the meaning to other way. Second, I have not imposed the questions but rather have posed or raised questions. I’m not an imposer and like you and peoples of our generation I am also a feign of freedom. We may term our father’s generation (that also includes Khan Sahab)as imposing genearation.
I think like you, all of our community members are for-the peace and dialogueg and the proof is the peaceful takeover and demonstration of the community members including males and females.
Next: Personally, I know you Sharif very well. You are a straightforward and blunt person (which is a good characteristic because in such persons hypocrisy are found to a lower degree in contrast to other personality). But I am surprised that you have taken a suppressed appoach, if am right, and you have avoided in identifying the persons liable for the SRDPT case/issue. What should I perceive now out of this approach? God has given you a genius and the power of pen (qalam). So, why not to use this pen positively for the human/community cause? Don’t you think there has come up poltical statement to say that importance of those persons would rise? How? If you come wup with identification of blunders and mistakes, rather in the Case of SRDP, it is a crime that has been carried out by Khan Sahab and his group.
Don’t you think that we can condemn it openly whosoever there may be? And why not to come up with a positive mechanims to address this issue?
Like you, I haven’t any affiliation with any group/party; but because communal interests are involved in this states of affairs. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to take our pens, if it works, and fight through qalam and not through talwar (swords).
Same sentiments we have got whosoever comments or writes on this issue, if am not wrong. Please correct me my friend, if am astrayed. Please let’s come up with an effective mechanims and coming out of our affiliations, if we have got with any, and uphold the communal cause.That is why the questions have been posed/raised because you are a sincere person and I know your contributions along with other members in the VO Ghulkin.
All these commentators have the same feeling and demand that personalities in the organizational structures should not be given priorities rather the bylaws and the system. That is true, and we agree with your views in this regard.
Which are the two groups? I think the last one were not even share holders, they were illegal occupants of the port as they have not even invested a penny in the business while have taken away millions of rupees.
As Mr. Ghazanfar himself had brought the matter on a national level by writing open letter to the President of Pakistan and the Army and also tried to even internationalize the issue by saying the the local people calling them terrorists and a threat to the Sino-Pak relations.
It is the current managements’ task to bring to public the reality and call a General body meeting of its share holders and have a professional firm to audit the accounts. The people of the region are waiting for their response as there has been long silence after they took it over. I hope that they are handling the situation professionally and if they do not bring all facts to public under any deal with the looters, it will be very unfortunate and sheer embarressment for all of us if our efforts of raising voice against them on every forum, are bettrayed this time.
The interests of the share holders should be safeguarded and every looted paisa should be recovered from those who have allegedly misused and those responsible including the staff should be prosecuted for their role in the mismanagement.
I dont know what I Call to the chief executive, Mr. Khan, Gir Khazanfer khan or Pir Transfer khan, Gir in term of wakhi word (hara to cut something) for looting public from the old ages start from his forfather, Pir Tranfer khan in term of money launding in SDP case with his son. All these suit to mr khan, all in one.
and now mr khan visiting vilggaes in which face i am surprise to hear about that mr khan viisted Hussaini and so many other villages of Gojal, as i remeber from his time when he was elected he always promised to the people of Hussaini and Passu for the steel bridge on khunzhrav river b/w Hussaini/passu and Zarabad/khuramabad, but not yet constructed, After darbar Hotel so many Karabar Hotels ware constructed but no any attention to the basic facilities for the communities in Hunza region. He and his son enjoyed on the money of SDP from Hunza to Dubai, but the people suffering for last many dicads even the those who always kissed on his hands and gave him vote, never noticed thier problems too.
please mr ghazani stop it now. its enough.. your time is over now. just mind your own bussiness and dont try to interfare in the peronal matters of localities of sost and hunza. they beared you very much and you must be thankful to them beacuse they have put their hands togeather to bring you at this stage which you might not have seen in your dreams. and in return you havent did any thing. It is more than enough for you that they have forgiven you.
ZULFIQAR BHAI thank you very much for your contributions and keep it up our prayers are with you
Thanks Taj Hussein for a really very refreshing comment. I agree with most of your aassessment of the malaise in our society. You have correctly diagonsed a crisis in the ‘conception of the self’ that is not only a problem faced by us in Hunza but it really lies at the heart of contemporary liberalism. The only thing i can add to your comments, by way of drawing some practical lessons, is that we should seek to reclaim our ‘communitarian values’ in the face of a centrifugal forces of individualism and abundent selfishness.
One more thing that i would like to point out is that the space for civic engagement in Hunza and in our region is occupied either by NGOs or fanatic ideologies. As a matter of fact NGOs have become power-wielders and are acquiring a qusai-govevernament status. Granted that they some NGOs have tirelessly worked to address issues concerning poverty reduction, education and provision of basic health services, but they can never replace public institutions and they can never remain committed and consistent in these areas. Most of NGOs, as they are dependent on foreign funding and patronage can disappear any time when international assitance disappears. As we have seen that foreign development assitance over the last fifty years has come to Third World mainly for geo-political reasons and it has fluctuated with the whims of geo-political concerns. We have the case of Afghanistan right in front of our eyes where billions of dollars have been spent during the last two-three decades but nothing has been achieved except violence and dis-integration of the country. Discussio of Afghan issue is a digression, but the point is that our people should try and focus on systems of learning, through our experiences of trials and tribulations rather than becoming a pawn in the hands of these who want us to do basic jobs, while telling us the virtues of international division of labour.
I really want to expand and discuss these issues in more depth but i am not sure if people are interested in these sorts of things. As i have observed our people react emotionally to most issues, and pass quick judgements rather than pausing for a quite and creative reflection.
Finally i note that my comments may be a bit out of context, given the news item and responeses to it, but still i feel that it is not irrelevent to identify issues and comabt them in the hope of eliciting reponses from our people i.e. the people of Giligt-Baltistan.
Dear Hakim, Thanks for endorsement and compliments for my views, me and other readers will eagerly waiting for your initiation of discussion on this topic