GB shocked, but united in grief
PT Report
Gilgit, February 28: The brutal massacre of 18 innocent passengers in Kohistan has shocked the entire Gilgit – Baltistan region. People from all regions and different schools of thought have expressed disgust and shock over the incident, while demanding action against the culprits. The social networks were busy the whole day, with large numbers of youth expressing solidarity with the victims and condemning the act of terrorism.
Messages of condolence were shared by thousands of people belonging to all seven districts of Gilgit – Baltistan.
Different political leaders, activists and ordinary citizens appealed to the people of GB to remain peaceful and not take law into their hands.
PMLN Chief Organizer, Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman wrote on his facebook profile:
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on INNOCENT PEOPLE at KKH near Harban (Dist Kohistan). My sincere/deepest condolences on the loss of INNOCENT PEOPLE. May GOD give them eternal rest & may their souls be rest in peace.
I would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does it and for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy, humanity, and all religious values. For this reason, no one—and certainly no Muslims – can approve of any terrorist activity. Terror has no place in one’s quest to achieve independence or salvation. It costs the lives of innocent people. The Qur’an declares that one who takes a life unjustly has, in effect, taken the lives of humanity as a whole, and that one who saves a life has, in effect, saved the lives of humanity as a whole. Also, our Prophet Muhammad says that a Muslim is one who does no harm with either his or her hand or tongue.”
Renowned activist and writer, Hidayatullah Akhtar, wrote:
“گلگت بلتستان کے باسیو دہشتگردی پورے پاکستان کا مسلہ ہے چند آدمیوں کی کاروائی کو پورے علاقے کے ساتھ یا کسی مذہب کے ساتھ منسوب کرنا مناسب نہیں۔۔۔آپ ایک باشعور قوم ہیں. احتجاج کرنا ہمارا حق ہے لیکن یہ احتجاج پر امن ہونا چاہئے اگر ہم بھی لوگوں کو ہلاک یا جلائو گھیرائو کرینگے تو ہم میں اور ان دہشتگردوں میں کیا فرق رہیگا۔۔ دہشتگردی کے اس واقعے پہ ہم سب کو دکھ ہے .ہم ہلاک شدگان کے لواحقین کے غم میں برابر کے شریک ہیں خدا مرحومین کو اپنی جوار رحمت میں جگہ دے آمین ۔۔ گلگت بلتستان کے عوام حکومت سے مطالبہ کرتے ہیں کہ وہ کوہستان بس فائرنگ کیس کی فوری اور سخت کاروائی کرے اور دہشتگردوں کو فوری گرفتار کرکے کڑی سزا دے “.
Adviser to Chief Minister, Sadia Danish, wrote:
“We condemn brutal killings of innocent people- Irrespective of religion, cast, race and color. Inna Lillah wa inna Ilayhee Rajiyoon.”
Development expert, Izhar Hunzai, commented on Pamir Times:
“Deeply saddened to hear about KKH tragedy at Kohistan. It is also very demoralizing for the whole Gilgit Baltistan community to hear such outrageous hate crime. May God grant all the healing and support that the families need to bear [the loss]. I also would like the whole community to contemplate on what could be done to not let repeat any such incidences or attempts in the future.”
The sectarian killing a characteristic of the illiterate and ignorant people who languish like the untamed herds pegged with ropes of hatred by the so called religious leaders has disturbed the tranquility and serenity in northern areas very badly. Let pass on three letters on the tribal elders, politicians, local people and importantly the religious leaders of the adjoining areas because certainly the local community has been providing the illegal protection for such crimes under the pretext of Jihad. One needs to understand that the reservoirs of terrorism trying to secure safe heavens in Northern part of our country are becoming endemically malignant. Local Administration and federal security agencies should not spare the ones responsible for this. They if once brought to book should be hanged in public and let the families of those who were killed take the sigh of relief. I know nothing can bring the precious lives but this will certainly compel the narrow mindsets of such pseudo- Jihadi groups and outlaws to think at least twice before committing such a heinous crime. Be it Junddollah or any of the wicked organizations of the same ilk, we must gather the courage to force them kneel down by any means including on moral grounds as well as physically in mêlée. These so called religious activists with a barbarian mindset should be truncated publically. One can make the humans fool but not the Allah. Naming oneself muslim and doing all sins does not appease Allah rather it is tantamount to challenge His power and surely He knows what is right and wrong. Nobody in this world is supposed to preach forcefully let alone the killing on sectarian grounds.
This is a heartbreaking news for us all in G.B. Yet another sad day marked in the history of this country, may Allah give the families of the innocent victims the strength to cope with this loss and stand strong.
This loss is shared by the entire community and I ask the government to take promt action rather than just biddding on a compensation that would silence the locals for the time being overlooking the near future consequences of this disaster.
I hope the officials involved in the inquiry are able to produce some results for a change. Till then we pray for a peaceful resolution and united we stand.
Prince Qasim Ali
Mir Of Nagar
The sectarian killing a characteristic of the illiterate and ignorant people who languish like the untamed herds pegged with ropes of hatred by the so called religious leaders has disturbed the tranquility and serenity in northern areas very badly. Let’s pass on three letters on the tribal elders, politicians, local people and importantly the religious leaders of the adjoining areas because certainly the local community has been providing the illegal protection for such crimes under the pretext of Jihad. One needs to understand that the reservoirs of terrorism trying to secure safe heavens in Northern part of our country are becoming endemically malignant. Local Administration and federal security agencies should not spare the ones responsible for this. They if once brought to book should be hanged in public and let the families of those who were killed take the sigh of relief. I know nothing can bring the precious lives but this will certainly compel the narrow mindsets of such pseudo- Jihadi groups and outlaws to think at least twice before committing such a heinous crime. Be it Junddollah or any of the wicked organizations of the same ilk, we must gather the courage to force them kneel down by any means including on moral grounds as well as physically in mêlée. These so called religious activists with a barbarian mindset should be truncated publically. One can make the humans fool but not the Allah. Naming oneself muslim and doing all sins does not appease Allah rather it is tantamount to challenge His power and surely He knows what is right and wrong. Nobody in this world is supposed to preach forcefully let alone the killing on sectarian grounds