Articles

Construction of Diamer-Basha dam;
( Hussain Ejaz(Nilt)
“A beginning of new era in Northern Pakistan।”
In respect to the article by Mrs. Merriam your esteemed daily on 26th Jan 2009, I do appreciate the efforts, which have been highlighted by her favor the eights. Gilgit- Baltistan located on the Northern hemisphere of Pakistan, shares its borders with India, republic of China and Central Asia and occupied Kashmir. In Nov.. 1948, the locals sought freedom from Dogras, after having and running their own GOVT “Jamhoria-e- Gilgit” for 22 days, independently gave annexation to Pakistan. Sardar Muhammad Alam, a Naib- Tehsildar from NWFP, after accepting annexation, soon declared Gilgit-Baltistan as “Agency”. However, later in, he imposed FCR.
Whereas in 1974, the late Z.A. Bhutto abolished FCR. Later on, under Karachi agreement in 1969, the region declared among disputed. This was done too, if and when the UN proposed plebiscite in April 1948, is yet to take place. In Nov.., 2004, Perveez Musharraf, then Pakistan’s president, categorically defined the Gilgit-Baltistan among disputed regions.
Now the brain racking question is that our very existence under threat from the very beginning we are termed as disputed among Seven regions of Kashmir. That is why, we have no representative in the Parliament of Pakistan and without access to the apex court of Pakistan.
As for as, the construction of “Basha dam” is concerned; The National Assembly Committee on finance has directed the Ministry of water and power division. The Committee has reported that the dam will be 95% in Northern Area. Yet the maximum financial aid has been awarded to NWFP. Now our state is like a fish out of water. We are guanine clients to have maximum benefits on behalf of dam. We are true lovers of this soil. After having hundred and thousands sacrifices for the protection and shelter of sky high borders of Pakistan, it is our genuine right to claim over our rights.
It is expected that the apex authorities of Pakistan will pay attention to resolve this crucial matter.