Foul or fair
As a climber, Mortenson said he became enamoured by Pakistan after being rescued by local people from a mountain. Up until now, he had remained undeterred by all the controversy and continued his work, notably in Gilgit-Baltistan. However, trouble refuses to stop stalking him. Recent reports reveal that Mortenson is now locked in a dispute with a local manager in Skardu, who is refusing to hand over the property of three schools worth billions to the CAI. Mortenson’s former manager has been reported as saying that the schools were built with the community’s money, and in fact, belong to his own branch of the CAI. A local spokesman for the Institute has said that the dispute is nowhere near being settled and talks have failed. Meanwhile, new allegations and rumours continue to emerge. There has been doubt expressed about the manner in which schools apparently funded by the CAI have been run and local people seem to confirm that Mortenson took credit for projects he did not complete himself. There are, however, many who still admire a man who took extreme measures to assist the people of the region, where even governmental development efforts are non-existent.
So, is Mortenson a hero or a villain? We still do not know. The fact that he is American and conjecture about possible links with the CIA add to complications. The fact, however, is that today, Mortenson stands badly discredited. Whether he will be able to build back a lost reputation remains to be seen, but the popular consensus is appreciative of Mortenson's work for a people and country he owes little, or nothing at all, to.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
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@Waseem: You are absolutely right on your this stance because our leaders are only busy in raising corruption and doing amendments in the constitution to secure the leadership from prosecutions now-a-days.........
He is most certainly a hero, a flawed one, but a hero none the less.
This is confusing - "However, trouble refuses to stop stalking him. Recent reports reveal that Mortenson is now locked in a dispute with a local manager in Skardu, who is refusing to hand over the property of three schools worth billions to the CAI."
"property of three schools worth billions"?
That doesn't sound right. When there is money on the table, there are usually disputes - no big deal. The important thing is that at least Mortenson is trying to bridge our gap in helpful way - through education. We need more people like him, and fewer people trying to trip him up.
This is utter shame. One person who is trying to do something that our government even failed to do (provide education to most impoverished and poor in Northern areas) is being discredited. I have known Greg personally ever since he came to Pakistan the first time in 1993. He has a heart of gold and is always willing to help others. The case against him as "orchestrated" by Mr Jon a CBS paid reporter has since been thrown out of court. If a local Manager is refusing to hand over the schools that shows he is a culprit and not Greg!! Lets first look into our own selves, put our own house in order and then talk ill of some one (one of the few) trying to seriously help Pakistan...I fully support Greg and his Cause. On a side note he was awarded with "Sitara-e-Pakistan" in 2009 by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of work he is doing. Go ask people of Skardu and they will praise him more than they praise the government. Well done Greg continue the great work, and Thank you!!!!