Gilgit-Baltistan: Sporting event to promote harmony

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government plans to hold sports tournaments to promote sectarian harmony, an official said on Saturday.

“We are planning to hold inter-departmental competitions in the region to promote sectarian harmony,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity.

Giving details of the programme, the official said that the departments would raise and sponsor their respective football, cricket and polo teams. “This will divert people’s attention from violence to something positive,” he said.

Gilgit has been suffering from sectarian violence for over two decades and hundreds have died in clashes. Last week, G-B police disclosed its plan to curb violence through preparing a criminals’ database.

In December 2010, Mir Nawaz, a senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader became the latest victim of sectarian violence when unidentified armed men shot him dead near his house.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 03^rd, 2011.