NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 30: The convener of Hurriyat Conference (G) Pak chapter Ghulam Muhammad Safi on Wednesday accused India of giving “unbridled powers to troops to carry out genocide of Kashmiris.”
“India is following the Israeli policy to suppress the Kashmir struggle,” Safi told a news conference here.
Describing his press briefing a part of “Quit Kashmir” campaign launched by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, he said, “The Hurriyat leadership has chalked out a comprehensive strategy to apprise the world community about India designs.”
In this context he said that Hurriyat’s-Pak chapter would hold seminars and press conferences all across Pakistan to highlight the plight of Kashmiris. “As far as political struggle of Kashmiris is concerned Quit Kashmir campaign is a major step towards achieving the long cherished goal of freedom,” he added.
“On one hand India is talking about living in peace with Pakistan while its forces are killing Kashmiris,” Safi said.
Referring to the recent killings in the Valley, he said, “Extra-judicial killings, forced-disappearances and target killings of innocents have now become order of the day.”
He maintained that states’ identity as a Muslim majority state was under a severe threat as India was trying to alter its demographic character.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Joint strategy needed to counter terrorism:SAARC
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 26: The member countries of SAARC on Saturday agreed to adopt a joint strategy against terrorism to make South Asia a terror free region.
This was agreed in principle through the joint communiqué released at the end of interior ministers’ conference of SAARC countries here.
Terming terrorism as biggest threat to regional peace, the delegates agreed in principle to adopt a joint strategy against terrorism to make South Asia a terror-free region.
Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik presided over the ministerial moot attended by ministers of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan.
The member countries agreed that joint efforts were needed to counter the challenges faced by the SAARC nations particularly issues of terrorism and human smuggling. Malik said the member countries unanimously agreed to fight terrorism saying SAARC countries were united to face the challenges
Islamabad, June 26: The member countries of SAARC on Saturday agreed to adopt a joint strategy against terrorism to make South Asia a terror free region.
This was agreed in principle through the joint communiqué released at the end of interior ministers’ conference of SAARC countries here.
Terming terrorism as biggest threat to regional peace, the delegates agreed in principle to adopt a joint strategy against terrorism to make South Asia a terror-free region.
Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik presided over the ministerial moot attended by ministers of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan.
The member countries agreed that joint efforts were needed to counter the challenges faced by the SAARC nations particularly issues of terrorism and human smuggling. Malik said the member countries unanimously agreed to fight terrorism saying SAARC countries were united to face the challenges
Thursday, June 24, 2010
India, Pak agree to insulate dialogue
Rao, Bashir Devise Modalities For Comprehensive,
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 24: India and Pakistan Thursday agreed that dialogue was “the best way forward” and should not be allowed to be derailed by “militant groups”.
“We should jointly work together towards our goal of resolution of outstanding issues and also to dealing with the dangers, with the threat of terrorism,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said after holding delegation level talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad.
“We believe that dialogue is the best way forward,” Rao said at a packed press conference. She clearly indicated that the talks were the harbinger of closer dialogue between India and Pakistan in the coming months. “During our discussions, we have accepted the modalities for restoring trust and confidence for comprehensive sustained and meaningful dialogue,” added Rao.
However, she demurred from stating that this was a resumption of the Comprehensive Dialogue, which India had suspended after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. “You must focus that dialogue is the best option for deepening relationship. It is not an issue of nomenclature,” said Rao.
Rao said the two countries have been expressing commitment to a serious, sustained and comprehensive dialogue and they were seeking to re-engage each other. “We owe it to our people to chart out a course for normalisation of relations, narrow differences and embark upon a collaborative engagement,” she said.
At the same time, India’s “core concern about terrorism (was) also articulated” at the discussion and Pakistan reminded about Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s commitment that its soil will not be used against India. “We believe that is an important commitment,” said Rao.
She was referring to the “commitment” made at the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gilani in Thimpu (Bhutan) on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in April this year.
She added that both sides will have to work together so that these “dangers, threats and evils of terrorism” are countered effectively.
The Pakistani Foreign Secretary described the talks as being marked with “great deal of cordiality, sincerity and earnestness.”
“I would like to borrow a phrase from Nirupama Rao, that this has been a good essay in mutual comprehension,” Bashir said and added that the two countries adopted a forward looking approach and discussed “all issues of concern and mutual interest.”
Bashir said that after Thursday’s engagement, he was “much more optimistic about the good outcome for the ministerial level meeting”. He was referring to the meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on July 15.
“We have been able to review comprehensively the state of bilateral relations. All issues of concern and interest touched upon, always keeping in mind the need to move ahead,” said Bashir.
On the issue of terrorism, Bashir said both countries were discussing ways to cooperate in counter-terrorism, which would be discussed in detail at the meeting of Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram and his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik Saturday.
“We will not allow terrorists space to act against each other,” he said.
This is the second stand-alone meeting between the two foreign secretaries this year. Foreign Secretary Bashir had travelled to New Delhi for talks in February.
“I am much more confident of good results at the ministerial meeting,” said Bashir. “All in all, it was a most useful meeting,” he added of the talks.
“It was a good essay in mutual comprehension,” Bashir said, adding: “All issues were touched upon.”
“We need to move forward,” Bashir said.
Meanwhile, Nirupama Rao had a separate meeting with Pakistani Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wherein they discussed the issue of mutual concern.
The meeting between the Foreign Secretaries was meant to set the agenda for the July 15 meeting between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart S M Krishna.
Before that, Home Minister P Chidambaram is due to visit on Islamabad on Saturday for a meeting of the SAARC home ministers.
Commenting on the secretary-level meeting, noted peace activist and writer General (retired) Talat Masood told Greater Kashmir that the engagement was a good beginning and said that rather than moving on spontaneously there was a need to have a structured dialogue to seek settlement of all the issues including Kashmir.
“There are several issues like bilateral-trade, commerce, terrorism or the issue of Kashmir I think all these issues must be addressed through a structured dialogue,” he said.
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 24: India and Pakistan Thursday agreed that dialogue was “the best way forward” and should not be allowed to be derailed by “militant groups”.
“We should jointly work together towards our goal of resolution of outstanding issues and also to dealing with the dangers, with the threat of terrorism,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said after holding delegation level talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad.
“We believe that dialogue is the best way forward,” Rao said at a packed press conference. She clearly indicated that the talks were the harbinger of closer dialogue between India and Pakistan in the coming months. “During our discussions, we have accepted the modalities for restoring trust and confidence for comprehensive sustained and meaningful dialogue,” added Rao.
However, she demurred from stating that this was a resumption of the Comprehensive Dialogue, which India had suspended after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. “You must focus that dialogue is the best option for deepening relationship. It is not an issue of nomenclature,” said Rao.
Rao said the two countries have been expressing commitment to a serious, sustained and comprehensive dialogue and they were seeking to re-engage each other. “We owe it to our people to chart out a course for normalisation of relations, narrow differences and embark upon a collaborative engagement,” she said.
At the same time, India’s “core concern about terrorism (was) also articulated” at the discussion and Pakistan reminded about Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s commitment that its soil will not be used against India. “We believe that is an important commitment,” said Rao.
She was referring to the “commitment” made at the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gilani in Thimpu (Bhutan) on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in April this year.
She added that both sides will have to work together so that these “dangers, threats and evils of terrorism” are countered effectively.
The Pakistani Foreign Secretary described the talks as being marked with “great deal of cordiality, sincerity and earnestness.”
“I would like to borrow a phrase from Nirupama Rao, that this has been a good essay in mutual comprehension,” Bashir said and added that the two countries adopted a forward looking approach and discussed “all issues of concern and mutual interest.”
Bashir said that after Thursday’s engagement, he was “much more optimistic about the good outcome for the ministerial level meeting”. He was referring to the meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on July 15.
“We have been able to review comprehensively the state of bilateral relations. All issues of concern and interest touched upon, always keeping in mind the need to move ahead,” said Bashir.
On the issue of terrorism, Bashir said both countries were discussing ways to cooperate in counter-terrorism, which would be discussed in detail at the meeting of Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram and his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik Saturday.
“We will not allow terrorists space to act against each other,” he said.
This is the second stand-alone meeting between the two foreign secretaries this year. Foreign Secretary Bashir had travelled to New Delhi for talks in February.
“I am much more confident of good results at the ministerial meeting,” said Bashir. “All in all, it was a most useful meeting,” he added of the talks.
“It was a good essay in mutual comprehension,” Bashir said, adding: “All issues were touched upon.”
“We need to move forward,” Bashir said.
Meanwhile, Nirupama Rao had a separate meeting with Pakistani Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wherein they discussed the issue of mutual concern.
The meeting between the Foreign Secretaries was meant to set the agenda for the July 15 meeting between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart S M Krishna.
Before that, Home Minister P Chidambaram is due to visit on Islamabad on Saturday for a meeting of the SAARC home ministers.
Commenting on the secretary-level meeting, noted peace activist and writer General (retired) Talat Masood told Greater Kashmir that the engagement was a good beginning and said that rather than moving on spontaneously there was a need to have a structured dialogue to seek settlement of all the issues including Kashmir.
“There are several issues like bilateral-trade, commerce, terrorism or the issue of Kashmir I think all these issues must be addressed through a structured dialogue,” he said.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Gilgit Baltistan govt passes Rs 13 bn budget
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, June 23: The Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly has announced the budget for the fiscal 2010-11 with an outlay of over Rs 12.98 billion. During a special session held in Gilgit, the finance minister Muhammad Ali Akther while presenting the budget said that 6.40 billion rupees grant has been allocated for the non-development programs.
He said that salaries of the government were increased by 50 per cent whereas medical allowances of the employees have been increased up to 16 per cent.
He said besides other facilities a grant of Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the Hunza-Lake sufferers.
Islamabad, June 23: The Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly has announced the budget for the fiscal 2010-11 with an outlay of over Rs 12.98 billion. During a special session held in Gilgit, the finance minister Muhammad Ali Akther while presenting the budget said that 6.40 billion rupees grant has been allocated for the non-development programs.
He said that salaries of the government were increased by 50 per cent whereas medical allowances of the employees have been increased up to 16 per cent.
He said besides other facilities a grant of Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the Hunza-Lake sufferers.
Friday, June 18, 2010
PaK presents Rs 47 bn budget
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 18: Announcing big sops for its employees, the Pak administered Kashmir government today presented a Rs 47.33 billion budget for 2010-11.
Minister for finance Raja Nisar Ahmad Khan presented the budget at a special session chaired by speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir in the legislative assembly. The opposition staged a walkout blaming the government for not taking it on board before presenting the budget.
The budget earmarks Rs 11.17 billion for development schemes and over Rs 30 billion for non-development programs. The budget carries big sops for the government employees whose salaries have been raised by 50 per cent.
While Rs 4.66 billion have been allocated to meet the expenditure on account of salary hike, Rs 98 crore grant has been announced separately to increase the pay of police personnel. The finance minister said a comprehensive reconstruction program had been launched to accomplish work in the quake-hit areas. “Over 1000 projects have been completed and the work is going on over 2000 other projects whereas 1800 development projects would be launched in next financial year,” he said.
The minister hailed Pakistan government for “its generous support for the development and prosperity PaK.” However, he added that even as the PaK government was expecting 10-14 per cent increase in the grants from federation government due to rising inflation, “we faced cut this year.”
He said if the adequate share of the federal taxes, incomes generated from the hydle projects and other properties and resources from PaK was given to “us we won’t need further grants/aid from the federal government.”
Sectoral allocations
On sectoral allocations Khan said over Rs 4185.343 million had been earmarked for the development of infrastructure including the transport, roads and communication.
He said the education sector would receive Rs 828.811 million, Rs 149.394 million rupee will go to agriculture and live stocks, Rs 40.377 million to civil defense, Rs 171.607 million to development authorities, Rs 20.189 million to environment, Rs 916.487 million to foreign aided projects, Rs 361.380 million to forestry, fisheries and wild life.
He said Rs 308.147 had been earmarked for health, Rs 20.189 for information and media development, Rs 228.132 million for information technology, Rs 165.548 million for industries and minerals, Rs 1500 for electricity, Rs 766.160 million for physical planning and housing, Rs 110.369 million for research and development, Rs 34.321 million for social welfare, Rs 171.924 million for sports and Rs 196.587 million for tourism.
Non-development expenditure has been estimated to over Rs 36.71 billion.
Revenue
Revenue receipts of Rs 11,672.15 million have been estimated from its own resources, Rs 750 million from water uses charges, Rs 4500 million from Kashmir Council, Rs 6680 million from federal tax share. Revenue deficit has been put at Rs 5555 million which will be met by grant from the federal government. There is a budget deficit of Rs.17.5 billion.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Pakistan hopeful that re-engagement would lead to sustainable dialoge
Settlement of disputes imperative to enhance bilateral ties
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, June 03: Expressing optimism over the forthcoming ministerial moot to be held in Islamabad, the Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit has said that his country was hopeful that this re-engagement would lead to a sustainable and meaningful dialogue process between India and Pakistan.
“We hope this meeting will lead to a sustainable and meaningful dialogue process so that we can free this region and our two countries from conflicts and disputes”, Basit said this while responding to query during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad today. He made it clear that the settlement of disputes was imperative to enhance bilateral ties between the two states.
He said, “There is indeed trust deficit between the two countries and we need to bridge this gap seriously”. He was of the view that amongst various factors the unresolved dispute of Kashmir was one of the main issues that creates mistrust between the two nations.
Foreign office spokesman refused to comment on Indo-Pak water commissioners’ meeting that took place in New Delhi saying that he is yet to go through the details of the meeting. He said that there have been violations of Indus water treaty by India in the past and Pakistan has serious reservations regarding the controversial Kishanganga project. However he said “We will not compromise on our national interests and as a responsible state Pakistan would continue to pursue the dispute settlement mechanism”.
When asked whether there was any foreign pressure on Pakistan to launch military operation in Southern Punjab, he said there was no pressure on government of Pakistan. He maintained that the law enforcement agencies, armed forces and the people of Pakistan have rendered great sacrifices to defeat terrorism and therefore the government of Pakistan would do whatever it feels to be done keeping in view the vital interests of the country.
Responding to a query regarding Indo-US strategic dialogue he said, “I can only express the hope that it brings more peace and prosperity in the region”. About India-Afghanistan relations he said that the two countries do have bilateral relations but Pakistan’s position is clear that these relations should not be at Pakistan’s cost.
About Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid ship Basit said that Pakistan has moved a resolution in the UN that besides condemning Israeli aggression demanded the highest body to send the fact finding mission to probe the Israeli assault on freedom flotilla carrying relief goods to Gaza. The resolution he said also urged Israel to lift the siege on Gaza and other occupied territories of Palestine.
About Pakistani nationals who were on board the Gaza-bound aid ship, which was attacked by Israeli commandos he said that the Pakistani nationals including Talat Hussain would be back soon. He added that Freedom Flotilla have safely reached Amman and senior officials of the Embassy have received them on arrival at the Jordan-Israel border.
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, June 03: Expressing optimism over the forthcoming ministerial moot to be held in Islamabad, the Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit has said that his country was hopeful that this re-engagement would lead to a sustainable and meaningful dialogue process between India and Pakistan.
“We hope this meeting will lead to a sustainable and meaningful dialogue process so that we can free this region and our two countries from conflicts and disputes”, Basit said this while responding to query during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad today. He made it clear that the settlement of disputes was imperative to enhance bilateral ties between the two states.
He said, “There is indeed trust deficit between the two countries and we need to bridge this gap seriously”. He was of the view that amongst various factors the unresolved dispute of Kashmir was one of the main issues that creates mistrust between the two nations.
Foreign office spokesman refused to comment on Indo-Pak water commissioners’ meeting that took place in New Delhi saying that he is yet to go through the details of the meeting. He said that there have been violations of Indus water treaty by India in the past and Pakistan has serious reservations regarding the controversial Kishanganga project. However he said “We will not compromise on our national interests and as a responsible state Pakistan would continue to pursue the dispute settlement mechanism”.
When asked whether there was any foreign pressure on Pakistan to launch military operation in Southern Punjab, he said there was no pressure on government of Pakistan. He maintained that the law enforcement agencies, armed forces and the people of Pakistan have rendered great sacrifices to defeat terrorism and therefore the government of Pakistan would do whatever it feels to be done keeping in view the vital interests of the country.
Responding to a query regarding Indo-US strategic dialogue he said, “I can only express the hope that it brings more peace and prosperity in the region”. About India-Afghanistan relations he said that the two countries do have bilateral relations but Pakistan’s position is clear that these relations should not be at Pakistan’s cost.
About Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid ship Basit said that Pakistan has moved a resolution in the UN that besides condemning Israeli aggression demanded the highest body to send the fact finding mission to probe the Israeli assault on freedom flotilla carrying relief goods to Gaza. The resolution he said also urged Israel to lift the siege on Gaza and other occupied territories of Palestine.
About Pakistani nationals who were on board the Gaza-bound aid ship, which was attacked by Israeli commandos he said that the Pakistani nationals including Talat Hussain would be back soon. He added that Freedom Flotilla have safely reached Amman and senior officials of the Embassy have received them on arrival at the Jordan-Israel border.
Dr Singh’s talks offer eyewash: PaK speaker
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 9: The speaker of the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) Legislative Assembly, Shah Ghulam Qadir on Wednesday described Prime Minister Dr Manmohan’s Singh’s talks offer to Kashmiri leadership as an attempt to “hoodwink” the international community.
“History stands testimony to the fact that India has never been serious to resolve the Kashmir dispute. India’s only motive seems to defer Kashmir resolution,” Shah told Greater Kashmir.
“If India is serious it should hold talks with Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership as well. Dr Singh’s statement reflects the India’s inflexible approach and its long-drawn-out policy of intransigence,” he said.
“India is actually trying to kill two birds with one stone on one hand it wants to change the international posture of the Kashmir issue while on the other it wants to divide Kashmiris on different lines,” he added
On Dr Singh’s offer to hold talks with Kashmiri leaders separately he said, “India is trying to create confusion among the masses. There is no problem in talking but in that case Kashmiri leadership should be united otherwise holding talks with India on individual bases will damage the Kashmir cause, secondly there should be no preconditions whatsoever”, he added.
He said that in view of the ground realities in Kashmir India should adopt a “realistic approach” to resolve Kashmir issue.
Meanwhile, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami PaK Abdur Rasheed Turabi has said that resolution of Kashmir dispute was must to ensure durable peace in South Asia.
Addressing the Party’s central executive committee he said, “The United Nations resolutions about holding plebiscite in JK should be implemented in JK.”
He also flayed the Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid ship. “The turmoil in the middle east is the result of the Israel’s imperialistic policies to grab land of helpless Palestinians”
Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project beyond the purview of limitations: Basit
- Dialogue must to settle issues relating Iran’s nuclear program
- Zardari to represent Pakistan at SCO summit
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, June 10: Terming Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline contract as purely a commercial pact the foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit has said that the agreement signed by the two countries recently was beyond the purview of the limitations being imposed on Iran by the United Nations Security Council.
“As for as the Gas Pipeline Project is concerned this is purely a commercial agreement that is beyond the purview of the limitations”, Basit said this during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad today. He said that there were 37 operative paragraphs of the resolution which were relating to the sanctions against Iran’s nuclear and Ballistic Missile program and these sanction will have no bearing upon the project whatsoever.
Stressing the need for a negotiated settlement of Iran’s nuclear issue, the foreign office spokesman said, “Pakistan has always called for a negotiated settlement of the issues surrounding to Iran’s nuclear program”. He maintained that Pakistan would continue to encourage all parties concerned to re-engage in a purposeful diplomacy to settle difference in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
To a query about Israel’s nuclear program he said that during an international conference held in New York recently there was a resolution calling for a nuclear-free zone (Middle East) and “I think international community needs to act upon the said resolution to achieve the objective”.
When asked about American state department official’s statement that instead of Kashmir issue it would be the issue of terrorism that would figure on top of the agenda on the 15th July meeting the foreign office spokesperson said that trust-deficit, which existed between the two countries was not a new phenomena and “it is there for decades due to many reasons”. He however added that there was a dire need to bridge this trust-deficit to move forward positively. “This is what we intend to do when the foreign ministers of our two countries would be meeting in Islamabad next month”, he added.
With regard to Chinese vice premier’s visit to Islamabad he said that for last two years the two countries have focused on augmenting bilateral relationship in order to bring them at par with our political relations. The Chinese vice premier who is in-charge of energy and other matters he said had had very significant discussions with Pakistani leaders and hoped that his tour to the country would serve good purpose in completing the projects that were already in place and the projects that were in the pipeline.
He said that president Zardari would be visiting china soon adding that such engagements were going on and the two countries were moving in the right direction. When asked about the possibility of any civil nuclear deal between the two countries he said that the there were various projects in place but refused to comment on the specific issue.
Referring to president Zardar’s visit to Tashkent he said that besides attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit President Asif Ali Zardari will hold separate meetings with President of Russia, China, Uzbekistan and other dignitaries. He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to the CEO forum and hopes that the summit would help to bolster peace and stability in the region.
Hunza Lake crisis continue to hound people of Gilgit
Outburst in the lake could be a major set back to region’s development
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, May 28: The escalating water level in the landslide-triggered Hunza Lake is posing a serious threat to the region’s ecological system besides causing inconvenience to thousands of people who had to flee away from their homes as a result of this natural calamity that hit the area a couple of months back.
Hunza River, one of the tributaries of River Sindh, took the shape of an artificial Lake after a massive landslide blocked off its flow completely. A village near Attabad also came under the mudslide that killed more than 17 people on January 04 this year.
Owing to melting of glaciers and extreme hot weather the river by now has turned into a big dam stretching over an area of more than 25 kilometers. About 27 thousand people living in up and downstream of the river have been affected directly or indirectly, whereas hundreds of Kanals of cultivable land, houses, schools and community centers have been submerged under the water.
Talking to Greater Kashmir Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman the PML-N chief in the region said that a population of 30 to 50 thousand people of the Hunza valley was affected badly since the disaster struck the area. The internally displaced people he said were now living in more than 50 camps established in various areas in and around Gilgit Baltistan.
In order to safeguard the lives of the people Rehman said that in view of the rising water level in the lake people living in the suburbs of Hunza valley have been completely evacuated and moved to safer areas. “There is no risk of humanitarian loss in case there is a flood like situation in the area”, he said.
When asked about how many villages were affected due to this landslide-triggered lake on Hunza River he said, “About 40 villages of the Hunza valley have been directly affected and thousands of people have been displaced”.
However he stated that Non Government Organizations (NGO) were playing important role in serving the internally displaced people. Expressing dissatisfaction over what he called the inappropriate arrangements by the government of GB he said that incumbent regime has failed mitigate the sufferings of the people of the area.
He said that the region’s economy was badly shaken as there has been no trade and tourism activity in the area.
Meanwhile, the experts monitoring the Hunza lake situation have said that the water from the lake would start to flow through the spillway within a couple of days. All the arrangements have been made to deal with any emergency situation. While on the other hand government has put in place a round-the-clock monitoring system and early-warning mechanism in the area.
In case of the outburst, flooding could potentially damage the Karakoram Highway that would certainly be a major set back to region’s economy.
Sharah-e-Resham is the only road-link that connects the region with rest of the country and it also serves as economic back bone for Gilgit Baltistan.
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, May 28: The escalating water level in the landslide-triggered Hunza Lake is posing a serious threat to the region’s ecological system besides causing inconvenience to thousands of people who had to flee away from their homes as a result of this natural calamity that hit the area a couple of months back.
Hunza River, one of the tributaries of River Sindh, took the shape of an artificial Lake after a massive landslide blocked off its flow completely. A village near Attabad also came under the mudslide that killed more than 17 people on January 04 this year.
Owing to melting of glaciers and extreme hot weather the river by now has turned into a big dam stretching over an area of more than 25 kilometers. About 27 thousand people living in up and downstream of the river have been affected directly or indirectly, whereas hundreds of Kanals of cultivable land, houses, schools and community centers have been submerged under the water.
Talking to Greater Kashmir Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman the PML-N chief in the region said that a population of 30 to 50 thousand people of the Hunza valley was affected badly since the disaster struck the area. The internally displaced people he said were now living in more than 50 camps established in various areas in and around Gilgit Baltistan.
In order to safeguard the lives of the people Rehman said that in view of the rising water level in the lake people living in the suburbs of Hunza valley have been completely evacuated and moved to safer areas. “There is no risk of humanitarian loss in case there is a flood like situation in the area”, he said.
When asked about how many villages were affected due to this landslide-triggered lake on Hunza River he said, “About 40 villages of the Hunza valley have been directly affected and thousands of people have been displaced”.
However he stated that Non Government Organizations (NGO) were playing important role in serving the internally displaced people. Expressing dissatisfaction over what he called the inappropriate arrangements by the government of GB he said that incumbent regime has failed mitigate the sufferings of the people of the area.
He said that the region’s economy was badly shaken as there has been no trade and tourism activity in the area.
Meanwhile, the experts monitoring the Hunza lake situation have said that the water from the lake would start to flow through the spillway within a couple of days. All the arrangements have been made to deal with any emergency situation. While on the other hand government has put in place a round-the-clock monitoring system and early-warning mechanism in the area.
In case of the outburst, flooding could potentially damage the Karakoram Highway that would certainly be a major set back to region’s economy.
Sharah-e-Resham is the only road-link that connects the region with rest of the country and it also serves as economic back bone for Gilgit Baltistan.
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