Photo Credits: Nisar Ahmed, IRC Lahore
The civil society of Gilgit Baltistan, based in Lahore, on 28th February 2010 registered a protest in front of Lahore press club. The motive behind the protest was to get the attention of the Federal government, in particular, and the Punjab provisional government, in general, towards the snail speed rescue work in Gojal Hunza regarding the January 4th 2010 disaster. Participants held various banners and chanted slogans against the poor effort of the federal and local government of GB for the rescue operation.
The disaster of 4/01 in Attabad Hunza blocked the KKH and Hunza River and killed almost 20 people. Currently, the up streaming of the dam towards Gojal valley has reached almost 25km. It has already destroyed Ayenabad village of Gojal. The next threat is to Shishkat, Gulmit and Passu villages.
People speaking in the rally reminded the government of the strategic importance of Gilgit-Baltistan to our country in terms of defense, economy, and tourism industry. They criticized the federal government which so far shunned the disaster and did not take any effective measure to release the water. They directed the government’s attention towards the damages the water could make down stream, once it gets over the derbies.
Speaking on the occasion Javed Ali Manwa, a student of Forman Christian College, said that this issue should be raised in the parliament. He pointed out the hardships of the people of Gojal in terms of economic and agricultural activities and blamed Speaker GBLA, Wazir Baig, for his amateur attitude towards the people of Gojal who had elected him in the GBLA by giving him 90% votes. Reminding the government authorities of the many affected students, Manwa demanded for at least two years educational compensation for them.
Zahir Shah focused on the sacrifices of the people of Gilgit Baltistan for the country since their independence, and regretted the situation that the same people had to beg for their safety from the government. He appealed the government to bring the affected areas of Gojal under emergency plan and do every thing possible to ensure their maximum safety. He also pointed out the flaws in health care units and demanded a proper medical facility at various clusters.
Others speaking on the occasion denounced the government’s rejection of the proposal from international community for effective rescue operation. They requested the media for proper coverage of the scenario of the disaster and save the people of GB.
An appeal was also made for the CM of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, for supporting the people of GB.
Overall the protest remained successful as almost 90% of the civil society members of GB based in Lahore participated most, most of them being students.
