[PT Election Cell] Candidate Profile – Aziz Ahmed

Aziz Ahmed is an independent candidate for Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly, from ward LA – 6, Hunza. His profile and manifesto are being posted for information of the readers. Editor_.

Aziz Ahmed was born in a small village of Gojal called Moorkhoon. After getting the degree of MBA he has worked in various non governmental organizations of international repute, including AKRSP, IUCN, BASIP, FOCUS and British Council. He has worked in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and different parts of Azad Kashmir. He has remained engaged in trade. Currently he is trading

precious stones and serving as General Secretary of Northern Areas Gemstones and Mineral Association (NAGMA).

Aziz underlines three major reasons that have kept Hunza valley and Gilgit – Baltistan deprived of development despite of immense natural resources and human potential. In his analysis the major three reasons are:

• Political leaders too often function without any concrete development agenda, concentrating more on rhetoric than planning and research.
• Annual Development Funds are used by the political leaders to compensate their election investments, or to benefit their near and dear ones.
• The leaders are self centered and lack honesty, good will and devotion for the cause of society.

He says that if the developmental funds are truly invested on the society, there’s no reason why the region can’t overcome most of its hurdles.

He promises to devote all his “energies, expertise and experience for development of the society” and he would make Hunza an exemplary place to live in”.

Salient points of his election manifesto are:

1. Obtaining additional seat for Hunza in theGBLA

2. Equal distribution of resources and employment opportunities in the newly established district of Hunza – Nagar

3. To make a society in Hunza that is devoid of racial hatred and regional friction

4. Working for obtaining complete autonomy for Gilgit – Baltistan

5. Using Local support organization for identification of development projects and investing in such projects

6. Exploring and exporting mineral resources of Hunza valley

7. Making Hunza the real hub of Sino – Pak trade, with mutual exchange of goods from both sides

8. Making Sost a model border town with complete facilities for traders and tourists, through reinvestment of money obtained from the Sost Port and Customs

9. Obtaining 50 % quota for Hunza in the Customs and Immigration department at Sost

10. Working for waiving tax for traders of Hunza – Nagar district at Sost port

11. Establishing small hydropower generation plants in different villages to overcome the energy crisis

12. Better international marketing for fruits and vegetables of Hunza

13. Research facilities for schools and colleges

14. Scholarship for exceptional students and financial help for deserving students

15. Upgrading small and large health facilities in the region

16. Infrastructure development for tourism promotion in Hunza valley

17. Sports and recreation opportunities for the youth

18. Recreation opportunities for senior citizens of Hunza

19. Close coordination and partnership with international and national donor agencies for resource generation

20. Creation strong social institutions for sustainable development

Skills development and career counseling for the youth have also been highlighted as priority areas.

Aziz appeals to the people of Hunza valley that they shall vote for him to prove that as a society Hunza values merits of education, experience, vision and expertise, as opposed to race, lineage and language or regional affiliations.