Pakistan is about to complete 79 years since its creation. There are multiple reasons for our failure to compete with the worldly nations in day-to-day educational, scientific, social, cultural and other activities. Nevertheless, in my opinion, among them all, the disregard of merit is the most fundamental issue of such menaces. Government organisations in decisive positions and even amid casual employment have always ignored appropriate and fair means. Consequently, such individuals who were inducted through back doors were never capable of handling the responsibilities that were entrusted to them, nor were they sufficiently competent to carry them out properly. This is why today we are facing severe difficulties and failures in keeping pace with the rest of the world.
In the past, we have already paid a colossal price for these wrong decisions in the form of losing half of our country. Unfortunately, this does not end here and yet we have not learned any lesson from our previous mistakes. Even the remaining part of Pakistan now appears to be in a very critical situation at the hands of such irresponsible individuals. The geographical placement of Gilgit-Baltistan is extremely crucial, owing to its strategic importance for the country at large. It is the obligation of every government of Pakistan to pay maximum attention to resolving the issues that may arise in the areas of GB, which is still awaiting indisputable unification with Pakistan. Nonetheless, in contrast, today we are witnessing severe anxiety and hardship among its residents due to the reckless decisions of such short-sighted policymakers.
The situation of the GB once again became murky when, a few days ago, a former chief minister of GB, who today belongs to a well-known party, made a reckless statement regarding the people of Hunza and Ghizer, regions which intensely hurt the sentiments of the people of these areas, and showed deep concern against the erroneous statement of the ex-CM. Sadly, despite previously holding an important office, this person was unaware of the fundamental role that the people of these regions played in the liberation of this vital area, of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Here, to remind him, I want to make it clear that my own elders, despite being hit by enemy bullets, stood fearlessly before them in Kargil, not only valiantly withstanding the enemy head-on but also inflicting a decisive defeat and bringing the area under their control. The government of Pakistan at that time acknowledged their bravery and courage by awarding them with distinctive medals of prowess.
Perhaps this gentleman (CM) is also unaware that Hunza is one of the most important regions whose people always played the most significant role in the liberation of GB, even though they never hesitated to sacrifice their lives to save the soil of their homeland. Many were martyred, and many earned the title of Ghazi. Apart from numerous others, in the 1947 war alone, more than ten individuals from Hunza displayed extraordinary bravery and courage by capturing an extensive area of land from the enemy forces and in recognition of their exemplary attempt, the contemporary government of Pakistan conferred the medals of valour in their names, which is itself a distinctive and remarkable endeavour in the entire region.
Even today, with complete confidence and fidelity, hundreds of sons of this region are devoted to their service to the Pakistan Army with dedication and courage, not only in senior ranks but also in various subordinate positions.
I believe that the aforementioned individual’s statement was merely a political stunt, made out of ignorance, personal interest, and a desire for cheap popularity. Such statements may or may not bring him any personal benefit. Still, they will certainly cause significant damage to the political party he is associated with as a result of the public backlash in GB,
Therefore, I would advise him to immediately retract this statement and offer an unconditional apology, not only to the people of Hunza and Ghizer but to all the people of Gilgit, for this irresponsible remark, so that the party he is affiliated with can be protected from potential future impediments.
