Hunza and Nagar unrest: Community elders step up reconciliation efforts
Politicians and religious representatives met in Hunza to ponder over how the situation could be normalised after the tussle. “There was a meeting in Hunza, attended by Wazir Baig, speaker Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, Motabiat Shah, a lawmaker, and Dr Khawaja, a representative of the Ismaili Council,” a resident of Hunza said, adding that Mohammad Ali Akhtar, the regional finance minister, and Mirza Ali, a representative of Hussainia Council Nagar, represented Nagar in the talks. Amid the ongoing negotiations, the government plans to deploy police, Rangers and Gilgit scouts in the restive parts of the Gojal valley known for rich culture and traditions besides people’s hospitality. Dozens of residents of Gojal demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in ransacking and plundering activities in the valley. “There are applications from the local people for boosting up of security in the region,” said an official, on the condition of anonymity. He said that the forces will be deployed in Sost, Gulmit, Hussaini and Fasoo.
The situation in parts of Hunza and Gojal turned ugly on Friday as clashes erupted between the labourers of Gojal and Nagar at the port of Hussaini, one of the four villages of Gojal submerged by the swelling lake of Attabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2011.
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It is surprising to see comments of ignorant people who have tried to tie this clash between two groups of labourers to delusional concepts like "Aga Khan state", which the great leader has open negated, and which is nothing but a fabrication of the ill-willed minds who want to malign the Ismailis.
Very recently a decorated sldier, Nadir Karim (Sitara-e-Jurat), was buried at Hussaini village. His coffin was wrapped in the national flag, because he sacrificed for the country, not for some imaginary state.
No one can take the Aga Khan out of the minds and heart of the locals, but that does not mean that we are conspiring to create a state.
Those are portraying the clash as a sectarian issue, are trying to protect the border trade mafia, most of them involved in smuggling across the Chinese border.
If the people of Hunza have risen against attackers, it is not based on sect or region, it based on protection of the innocent and unarmed people from drug dealer and mafia who are equally dangerous for Hunza, as well as Nagar.
@H.A. Khan: it started out due to quarreling among some laborers, which later turned into sectarian. This is unfortunate that a simple case of fighting between few people turns into something really ugly.
@Khadim Husain: one must avoid discussing on the basis of personal biases. you must understand the ground realities instead of uttering hate mongering speeches!
Strong security system is needed all over Pakistan especially in backward restive areas as they are more vulnerable to foreign funded instigated sectarian clashes. Instigating sectarian violence and clashes is one of the easiest and cheap way to destabalise Pakistan overall. Until Pakistan is 100% secured, the restive areas of Pakistan should not even be used for foreign tourism. Among the foreign tourists, there is a good possibility of foreign espionage. Pakistan is going through a critical phase. These are very sensitive days for Pakistan and its security. Pakistan is being targetted from various directions in order to weaken and destabilse it. The more Pakistan opens its borders to foreign tourism and looki loose, the more danger it will invite. These are days to sober up and be on your gaurd.
And this photo is from Attabad landslide event. Editor, please look into these lapses
Are you not watching that everyone in Pakistan is seen crazy to break Pakistan. From Jinnahpur, Saraikistan, Qabailistan and this issue concerns Agha Khan State, an old demand of that area. Everybody knew consequences of creating province on sectarian grounds and such clashes would enhance like Karachi, MQM is very well at Northern Areas and at Para Chanar as well
Why is there a rift between the Asna Asfri and Ismailis? The Sunnis there are now getting along with everyone so why these two other groups are fighting?
The issue was about Asna Ashri - Ismaili rift. The religious rift existing between two sects of Shia Islam turned ugly.
@H.A. Khan,
Its news for the sake of news. Media has no ethics but Vedanta to keep general people at the crossroad
Dear Mr. Reporter
WHY did the clashes errupt?
All those involved in creating rift in this peaceful part of the world must be dealt with sternly
Tribune: please re-read your article , one gets no idea what the dispute is about?. Better editing in future is suggested.