Gilgit curfew: G-B’s cellphone links snapped since April 4
A deadly upsurge in sectarian violence has led to the suspension of cellular phone services in Gilgit-Baltistan, cutting off thousands of residents from each other and the world outside.
The service was first introduced in the region in 2006. Its suspension has not only hampered business activities, but has also kept thousands of subscribers out of the communication loop.
The government blocked all cellular services in the area on April 4 in an attempt to contain the recent violence which has claimed the lives of more than 20 people. Officials said the ban was imposed as it helped curb violence in Parachinar also.
However, by the time the ban was imposed, Chilas town had already witnessed the killing of 10 Shia bus passengers in a reprisal for a bomb attack on a Sunni rally in Gilgit.
Officials had said it was the mobile phone calls and instant text messages that had triggered the violence in Chilas following the attack on the rally in Gilgit. They also claimed that it was the instant dissemination of the Chilas violence that led to the kidnapping of 34 Sunnis.
“The information of the violence in Gilgit was sent to other areas via mobile phones,” G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah was quoted as saying.
According to the officials, it is yet to be decided whether the service is to be restored or kept suspended for some time. Speaker G-B legislative assembly Wazir Baig said a decision to this effect would be taken soon.
With the current curfew and suspension of cellular services, landline phones are the only available option for communication in Gilgit, Chilas and Hunza-Nagar. Residents said landlines had become outdated following the introduction of mobile phones in the area.
An official in the Special Communication Organisation (SCO) said the demand for satellite phones has also increased along with the increased popularity of landlines.
Shah Raees, who works for a cellular network in Gilgit, said they were worried about the future of their business and had no idea when the service would be restored.
Cellular services commenced in Gilgit in 2006 after the government issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to private operators to start their services in the region, where unlike the rest of the country, the communication is regularised by the Special Communication Organisation.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2012.
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any one involved in killings should be hanged, regardless of which area he belongs. What I want to say is that the people of Gilgit want that curriculum should be acceptable to all sects. No controversial matter should be there in books. This is fair demand. They are not saying to include their point of view in books. They just say that books should be free of controversies. Every civilized citizen should favor this depend. It is key for peace in Gilgit Baltistan.
@ Adam,Ismail I wish that people even don’t talk about these religious staff at all and keep this limited to his personal life. In my personnel experience here in middle east and contries I travel especially Indian people have a patently balance in their life about the religious they are keeping this thing limited to his/her life and not imposing to others hence you noticed in Oman, Dubai and India there is no seatrain violence at all I have watched shia and sunni in the same line of prayer and when ever I see this things my heard crying with shameless tears that way we are become so much contractors of religious at all? Way not we expecting each other? I am 100% sure that the current state of craziness of shia and sunni will never ever grant them any Paradise or haven. Ismail no body shuld imopose his well on other if there is something like this we civil society have a responsibility to raise our voice against them. Dear the hardest thing for a great man is self analysis and improvement and seeing the things in a balance and fair way. If I am saying that terrorist of centre gilgit is involve in target killing then the hardess thing for me to look into the other side that people in madarsas of gilgit and chillas also involve in mas destruction activates and how can i discourage them …here my self analysis tested….
@Gilgiti-No voting right but Proud Pakistani: Simple Question, forget who is in majority or minority. Please answer it. For example, if you are following sect A, if I want to force my beliefs of Sect B on you. Will you accept it or not?
@ Gilgiti, You rightly pointed out the we all are culprits, but we need to see where we went wron and correct it. Jumping from one tree to another and blaming a package or by declaring all we are dirty is not going to help.
@ Ismail
Correct past said events dear yes there is a link ( chilas attack= hand granite at really = kohistan attack=killing of 5 with abdul wakeel chilasi= target killng both side in gilgit= 1988 accident= dispute of tow groups ets etc …..) Then what is the point? We are all dirty if you are good person its not a guarantee that every one in your side is good if may be I am good no guarantee that my community is clean. This a time to reset our directions and try to find the ways to accept each other. You are saying this is in majority and that’s in Majority its note a valid point in G-B because all the sect have equal rights you can not dominate others if we have such thinking then we are making ourselves fool we can not and never do just on thing without the consensus with other sects we did then its sample time waste and history and time proved it. You given some reference of politicians then who care what they are doing ? that’s there business , I am talking you my point of view just an ordinary residence of chillas and I do believe that thousands are thinking on this line. My request to you guys is that to spread the message of unity and peace if you can and till the others that we have to leave and die here so we have to set our life patrons. Lastly you said that education package was accepted some where uuhhh, then I think you notice the result as well. Nothing is permanent without the consensus of all stake holder again I will till you and there is no majority in G-B all are equal and do things on this base.
@Gilgiti-No voting right but Proud Pakistani: 1. GB was very peaceful until 1988, when people from Diamer and Kohistan attacked Gilgit. As a result over hundred of people were killed, even Masajids and Imam Bargah were burnt. Gilgit remained a bit peaceful till 2005. Again on 8th January, a famous religious leader was attacked and killed. These are facts, any one can verify these facts. 2. As far as Curriculum issue is concerned, the majority sect of GB want that the curriculum should be acceptable to all sects. This is very valid argument. In 2006, Ministry of Education Islamabad has already accepted this demand as valid one and issued notification regarding making the curriculum acceptable for all sects. All sects of GB had already endorsed this decision. 3. If any sect is not happy with this package or even people of Diamer are not happy with the package then their leaders / representatives like Gulbar, Atta ullah Sahab, Jamil Ahmed, Bashir Ahmad should resign from lucrative government ministries/posts. The members of assembly from Diamer are enjoying perks and benfirts of government, and same time you people are against this package. This is Hippocratic approach.
What about the suni majority Pakistan. Are they happy there. no, why, what is the reason that we don't think of any other line than this ? For your information. Shia is the majority sect in Pakkstan, if you separate other sects by sects. Now, you start sending sunnis in one province and shias to others. Jinah was not right, he should have multi nation theroy that time,
@ M ismail If i closed my eyes and repeat the ritual ( every thing form kohistan and chills every thing from kohistan and chillas ….) then I think I will qualify for you prescribe Civilized citizens.. please grow up and think maturely and fairly .
Any one can criticize but few will come with fair logics. m I talking with wrong one????? hmmm
@ Adam, Ismail Agreed shine speaking in one of the language of G-B and kohistani speaking it I mean just the all other languages of the region Balti, wakhi, kohistani shina , Gujuri, Burushki and even some pathan and Hanku speeking pepeole are perment residence of the area as we are. If KPK spread our one part then way we leave that? Secondly see dears we have been made foolish by the name of this pakage even Mehdi sha keep quite in this issue so for longer term we have to set and talk. Actually before this package we have not did a proper debate among all the stake holder and did t build a consensus as a result no this is a controversial issue. As per my thinking the following issue among the top debate 1) the sunni community of the region feel insecure because the shia community is in majority and based on this majority they demand spread education plan which were never be excepted to sunni communities and thease small issues create the sense that in future they demand something else like this so both parties have to talk on this and some parties have to show sacrifices as well 2) we want a spread province or state? this should be an open debate, if we want a spread province in its existing locality then form where we will get the income to run the province ? if we become a province then we have to produce our on income but our only sources is tourism and kkh that’s not enough. If want a state with Kashmir or kohistan then?? All this have to discussed until you don’t discuss you don’t do any thing.
@Gilgiti-No voting right but Proud Pakistani: Before 1947, Pakistan was part of India, as per your logic now indians can claim that entire pakistan is their part. Please be mature. Our people liberated GB from Dogara Raj under the leadership of Col Hassan Khan and Captain Babar Khan on 1st November 1947. GB is separate from Kashmir, if any one is liking to be part of Kashmir, he should go and live there. Majority of people of GB believe that GB is not part of Kashmir. Secondly, you mentioned "You know y this issue raise recently because on group in G-B want a spread educational pak?" . . Please explain this, what do u mean? As far as any civilized citizen is concerned, the recent problem in GB is due to killing of innocent people in Kohistan. It all started after the Kohistan tragedy.
@Gilgiti, The people of Kohistan speak shina is not a logic to include, they are part of KPK, If you can separate any other part of KPK upto Besham and futher, you are welcome to do that at your own cost. It means we will form a province of shina speaking and then there will be another province of Baltis and other of Broshos and other Wakhi, and other chitralis.
@Gilgiti-No Voting, There is not harm if you want to include all Pakistan if that satisfy any need, but here we are talking about the GB not any other territory which is part of Pakistan.
@ Nasir Mehmood Not much knowledge but as per my info and details of UN about Kashmir territory G-B is a part of Kashmir and Kohistan are part of G-B, kohistani are speaking shina and they have same culture as G-B way we will cut our one area? In old days due to some internal politics Kohistan attached with KPK by Pakistani administration and in the independent was as you mention above the real people was from Daril , tangir (kohistan) Hunza , Gizar and few from chillas and gilgit were their for your knowledge. Here we all want a complete autonomy including all our areas and we wont same policies for G-B as for other province of Pakistan. We can build a consensus on these technical issues. You know y this issue raise recently because on group in G-B want a spread educational pak?? How can that possible? Due to these kind of immature people are against this package.
@Gilgiti-No voting right but Proud Pakistani: What a joke!!! GB is part of Kashmir and Kohistan? At a time how can GB be a part of Kohistan (NWFP) and Kashmir (disputed terrority)? Clear contradiction in your statement as it is not based on facts. Dear pls go and read history of GB, our great freedom fighters Late Col Hassan Khan, Babar Sahib liberated our region from Dogra Raj with the help of people. How u can ignore such a clear fact.
@ adam,
Dear you till me wahts the legal stauts of this pakage??? Nothing we don’t want to be fool we pepeole of chillas only demand that G-B is part of Kishmer and Kohistan we want a province or state with all areas not just Gilgit
@Gilgiti-No Voting. Tell me one reason why sunnis oppose the recent package. While you coming with the No-Voting No voting. I demand that the GB should be a province of Pakistan.
Grand JIRGA for G-B
Basid on the recent achievements of handling the terrorist in Nagir and chillas to law informant agencies without any public disturbances have raise the need of forming a Grand JIRGA comprising of all the key elders and religious leader of G-B to maintain unity and harmony in the region. This Grand JIRGA will take responsibility and give guarantee for the future accidence in there allocated area and will help law informant personnel. This will be the only highly effective efforts to maintain peace and avoid future accident in the region because once they give guarantee they will check every terrorist in there area and based on the local knowledge every one know how is how. Please support this idea and spread it.
@ adam, Mohamd khan....Great people always talks with coolness, because eagerness let to losses and I believe u r a great person so we should talk patiently. I noticed that your focus is only regret of the past tragic accidence , its ok me too feel deeply sorrow on that, my focus is the background of those accident and how can we eliminate those in future, may be I am wrong I am outside country but based on the past information and discussion with fellows back in hometown (both shia & Sunni) I noticed that every accident elswae in the region have a link with Gilgit and you are right that SMS and phonce play key role but way that initial accident happen in Gilgit Dear?, there are few unemployed terrorist living in center Gilgit with the sport of religious leader and they are thinking they are ultimate, and they re killing the innocent form all the places Sikardu, Hunza, chillas, derail , tanger and Kohistan, then this small accident let to big Mascars since 1988. what I am trying to say is that how can we eleiminate those small accident in Gilgit? Please link every accident since 1988 till 2012 you can find all the big have a small link in Gilgit. Our focus should be to set together and give gurantee both in gilgit and chillas for future safety . and way we are putting our on mistake on Gov and giving it a discrimination name? only thing we can do is to spread love and harmony to our generation to accept each other and do things for betterment
@Gilgiti-No voting right but Proud Pakistani: In chilas ten people were killed by terrorists. The people who did killings were in hundreds but government registered cases against ten people. In kohistan, 16 people were killed and only ten people are nominated in FIR and no arrest has been made yet. In nagar, not a single individual was harmed but still government has registered cases against ten people and govt is threatening to start operation. Why this all discrimination is aimed at one sect.
@Gilgit-No Voting Rihgt but Proud Pakistani. What if a bus passenger from Skardu was killed burtally in Jaglot during Muharram. Was it not enough to spark or designed to spark violance. Did shias in Skardu or ealsewhere responded to that and killed any single person. It means the reaction from Chilas and Kohistan is the due to presence of a extermist network who has been establish to keep shias on GB under the pin. I out of all biases belive that all violance in GB is due to reason that sunnis in Gilgit always send SOS message to their kin and other networks who are very happy to pull the gunz. There were 100 of examples of brutality on KKH mainly due to reason that sunnis in GB look for Kohistan and KPK for all sorts of help.
@ adam i like your comments dear, agreed there should be no reaction against such action, but the truth is that any reaction in chillas is the result of gilgit target killing as mention above, i belive that if there were no target killing in gilgit then there were no accident elsewhere in our region. we have to accept each other, no body is going to dominate other, Pakistan given us every thing we should be live like other citizen of Pakistan. personally i am against of all religious viruses. we are Gilgiti and we should think the future of our nation.
@ Muhammad khan, dear don't forget that people of Chillas handed 250 people to Gilgit, and the people of chillas never ever start things first check form days. we appreciating the operation in every area including chillas against terrorist. i don understand way we are putting over own mistake over Gov???
Government is not serious in eliminating violence from the area. The blockage of mobile service is only creating communication problems in GB. The government and security agencies are biased. Government is about to start an operation in Nagar area, it is worth to mention that the people of area have handed 34 people unharmed back to government. On the other hand government is holding a dialogue with the people of Chilas, where at least 10 passengers were killed brutally. Government has failed to arrest a single involved in Kohistan tragedy for killing innocent people. The community which received dead bodies is the one which is facing wrath of government. This speaks volume about the discrimination faced by a minor community.
G-B facts, yes the mobile service one of the reason of that deadly accidents in the region but banning on mobile is note the permanent solution in this era. The only solution is to change the mentality and come out of this religious virus , we are first Gilgiti then we are shia and sunni, before Islam who were we?? Gilgiti. The only solution to the current situation is to form a Grand Jirga of the locals , only party will give guarantee for any violence in gilgit and second party will give guarantee of any violence from gilgit to Bisham, both partiy have the responsibility to identify the terrorist in any situation and handover to the Gov. we can not rely on law agencies because they don’t have local information . the last and foremost thing is to change the mind set of educated – rubles they should spoke and act logically and fairly, no body going to dominate the G-B, one thing is for sure that if there will be no target killing in 4-kilometor of Giligt then there will be no accident,,, think positively then you come to know that since 1988 every action of the violence is the reaction of gilgit target killing.
this is islamic republic of pakistan,which is only made for wahabis...
In Karachi scores are killed in a day, in Quetta a genocide against Shia's is on going, civilians in Peshawar are targeted every day! don’t you think we suspend the mobile service all over Pakistan?? I don’t know for how long the governments in Pakistan will rely on superficial measures and not address the root cause of the violence?
Unless people stop sending SOS messages to Diamer and Kohistan, the peace if Gilgit can't be ensured. In 1988 there were no mobiles, but telephones when a mob of over 80,000 armed militants tribes attacked Shia villages in Gilgit killing over 100 shias. The ignorant mob also burned mosques, schools, houses and copies of Holy Quran into ashes. Besides, they looted valuables. Gilgit is no the only examples of this organized butchery of shia. Parachiner, Quetta and South of Punjab where thousand of shias were killed and or forced to migrate to other countries.
The hight of plight is the state is helpless against the militants. The militancy in Pakistan in linked with the committment of Pakistan to cause of Kashmir, and other so called Jihad e Afghanistan and Jihad against Isrel for which millions of militants were raised that ranked Pakistan a safe heaven for terrorists.
There is apprent no solution when almost all actors of the state have surrendered. The episodes happening in KPK and killing of over 40,000 Pakistaniz is the backlash and insurgent are now more powerful or an integral part of state.