The sectarian strife in Gilgit is not confined to the town; it has unfortunately engulfed the whole of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
G-B Legislative Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig stated this while addressing a peace conference organised by the district administration in Gilgit City Park on Tuesday. “There are laxities on our part as well as we have been unable to nip the evil in the bud,” said the speaker.
Baig called on the residents to forge unity among their ranks to foil attempts of elements wishing to disrupt peace in the region. He requested scholars to play their role in creating a friendly environment in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region that saw the worst bouts of sectarian violence last month that claimed more than 20 lives in a day.
G-B Council Member Amjad Hussain said that people should fight against the rulers for their rights instead of fighting against each other. He blamed the successive government for failing to keep check on the widening gulf between rival sects, adding that it has resulted in “a complete breakdown of the system”.
The gathering was enthralled by a famous poet. Abdul Khalik Taj through his poetry, targeted the clerics for bringing a bad name to the religion and their sects. “It is a strange phenomena that people believe in the oneness of God but when it comes to compliance, they refuse to accept His commandments,” he said.
Earlier, the participants held a rally from Ittihad Chowk to the City Park.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2012.
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