Rape and Murder of Didar Hussain: Wake Up Call for Gilgit-Baltistan

Qamreen Khan 

The fire of hell started to burn and the scorching heat of hell burned the conscience of human beings. We are afraid of the life after death, always fearful and uncertain about whether we will be put into the hell or the heaven. Most people deny that for some, as a matter of fact, the earth itself can be hell.

Gilgit Baltistan is a remote mountainous area of Pakistan, which is considered because of its natural beauty as paradise on earth, and admired for its peace and prosperity. Unfortunately, recently this area has been facing problems which are beyond our imaginations.

Some days back a 13-year-old girl was raped and now a 14-year-old boy is raped and killed at Immit Ishkoman.

Many questions arise here! Are these incidents some part of a propaganda by outsiders to spoil this region or is it our people who have become conscienceless?

There’s no doubt the women are considered to be weak, socially vulnerable and unable to defend themselves, but so many boys are also becoming victims of sexual abuse, and murder. Unfortunately, rampant sexual abuse of boys has either been tolerated or ignored for long in our region. The criminals have become strong, and expect no repercussions for their sick acts.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan attach a lot of importance to the future of their youngsters, and try their best of educate them. But, the recent and continued attacks on young children has created a sense of fear in the society.

It appears that barbarians will continue to terrorize the society while the state watches, unable to put safeguards, unable to raise awareness, unable to create and enforce legislation to stop this scourge. The people need to come together in an organized and