[Pictorial] People of Gilgit walk for Peace
Special Reporter
Gilgit: Thousands of people attended a peace rally organized by the Gilgit Youth Forum on Saturday. Participants carrying placards and banners raised slogans in favour of peace and condemned militancy, sectarianism and violence. Prominent leaders of Gilgit city including Maulana Attaullah Shahab, adviser to prime minister, GB Council member Amjad Hussain, GBLA deputy speaker Jamil Ahmed, PMLN leader Hafeezur Rehman, leader of the GB National Movement Abdul Wahid were among the participants.
The rally passed through the airport road and culminated at the Ittehad Chowk (aka Hunza Chowk), where leaders addressed the rally and called the people to come forward for peace.
It is pertinent to note that this was the first major peace rally in Gilgit attended by common citizens after the sectarian violence that led to imposition of a 25-days curfew in the city. People of GB have showered praises on the Gilgit Youth Forum for bringing the people out of their homes and raising voice against militancy and sectarian hatred.
Photographs Courtesy: Mushtaq Hussain Khan
On the behalf of the youth and other residents of Gilgit-Baltistan in Lahore,hereby I congratulate the youth of GB and those elders who step-forward against the evil hatred prevailing in our society which destroys the peace of this beautiful region.I request the entire habitants of GB to play their roll in bringing peace and harmony amoung innocent people who does not know what hatred is. I know very well the brave people of Nager and the innocent muslims of Chillas and Darel/Tangir.They simply need a good preacher,who could tell them the real teachings of Islam. The youth of Gilgit-Baltistan are the ideal preachers of Islam as they are well educated and well aware about the past, present and the future.
I recall the youth of the region that in 1948 five or six brave people G.Bians who were simply muslims (although belonged to different secterian affiliations) swear upon God by confining themselves in a room that they would not returned to their homes till the freedom of Gilgit-Baltistan from Dogra Ruler. Should we forget their secrifices?
We should put together our energies to to make GB as prosperous as Switzerland,but to acheive this goal,peace and harmany should be the first priority.
May Allah help those who think about the beterment of human-beings.
Jehangir Shah
“Hey you, don’t tell me there’s no hope at all. Together we stand, divided we fall.”
Thank you, dear Gilgitis, your honnesty will prevail, even if you face troubled times at the moment, with love from Switzerland.
India still speaks for Gilgit and Baltistan as they are part of Kashmir. A Kashmir settlement will have to include a resolution of the status of Gilgit and Baltistan. Their residents may well prefer to join a reunited Kashmir if it will end the Taliban’s assault on their sovereignty and individual cultures.
Right step in right direction. Mullaz should not rule the world.