Amjad Hussain warns local militancy could be used as an excuse. PHOTO: FILE
GILGIT:
Local people should detach themselves from the militant outfits or else Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) may become the next destination for drone strikes, warned Advocate Amjad Hussain, Chairman Standing Committee in G-B Council on Thursday.
Hussain’s comments came a day after regional police chief in Gilgit revealed identities of those involved in the massacre of 10 foreign tourists and their guide at the foot of Nanga Parbat, the second highest peak located in G-B’s Diamer valley.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Zakaria, while talking to the media in Gilgit on Wednesday said that 10 of the 16 attackers were residents of Diamer valley and had received training from Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA)
“I feel pain when I hear about such incidents,” said Hussain whose role has been instrumental in forging sectarian harmony in G-B.
“If locals don’t shun their affiliation with the banned terrorist organization like TTP, it is highly likely that this region becomes the next destination for drone strikes,” said Hussain who is also a member of Pakistan People Party (PPP) and known for his candid views on issues.
Pakistan has suffered a lot owing to the drone strikes as it is believed to be counterproductive and paving way for further violence and instability in the country. The strikes have also strained Pakistan’s ties with its long term ally, the US over the years.
About the cold-blooded killing of foreign tourists, he said it wasn’t an indigenous act but it did have involvement of about 10 to 20 people.
“We should condemn the violence be it in any form and anywhere. It’s the mindset that we need to work on.”
He blamed the rise in militancy in G-B due to lack of political culture in the region which has no representation in the National Assembly and the Senate.
“I have appealed to the secret agencies to help strengthen the political system in G-B. If it happens, I assure you the house will itself be in order,” Advocate Hussain said, adding that G-B was sitting on a ticking bomb but the authorities have failed to maintain lasting peace.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (19)
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drones will only go where pakistani intelligence guides them to.And they are always against the indeliscriminate killers of innocent people,including women and children.(not to deny their collateral damage,and that they might not be needed)
@Lala Gee: By your theory we suck ok....I am a guest in a Pakistani site and you are entitled to your opinion. I would defend you to put your opinion in a Indian site too, just don't be too much vitriol without knowledge about the issue. Rab rakha....I know you will bite me now. The definition of a patriotic Pakistani is a wonder for me and most Indians here. I don't want your land. Loc should be international border. Pak cares only for the rivers flowing from down the Himalayas there. Please a request no ranting now. Jai hind , rab rakha . Sat sri akal
One would think that a Pakistani politician would be threatening use of Pakistani military rather than USA drone strikes - seems like he has given up on the military.
When are we going to listen to the leaders of the area and eliminate the spread of terrorism by the fanatics on the name of religion of peace? If we are patriotic and care about the sovereignty of the country then let us eliminate the global terrorists from the areas and there would be no drone strikes. No surgery would be needed if there is no cancer.
@ Lala Gee" ;;;I am sure the Gee stands for Goebbels..who famously said that a lie repeated a thousand times resembles truth. Moreover Sir, some people in Pakistan have created a myth about Indian occupation of Kashmir, and what is more tragic is that these people have started believing in that myth.
Lala Gee : I accept your suggestion, Why dont u recommend to your all weather friend China or the eternal giver US to do it. Pl listen when they tell u why u are right or wrong. By the way there is a "Last man standing" match going on in entire Pakistan. I guess if you go and analyze the reasons for that, you may get some more valid points and sinners.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan:
"Hitting gilgit baltistan would be in gross violation of Indian state of j&k as it existed in 1947."
Till the end of October 1947, even after the independence of India on August 15, 1947, J&K was an independent state, and was not part of India, until India illegally occupied parts of it against the wishes of Kashmiri people. Rather much of the area now in Pakistan was part of the undivided India, but you have no problem US hitting those areas.
"Now please don’t say it was freed by locals and is distinct from j&k. The fairy tales of Pakistan history books is famous and it should remain in fiction section of book stores."
OK. Pakistan history books are fairy tales, what do you say about the fairy tales of Indian history books. Lets read history from neutral sources. Here is a summary from Micheal Kolodner, "The Indian Occupation of Kashmir". Read it, wont take longer than an hour.
@vasan: @Raj - USA:
A single drone strike at a single place could effectively eradicate all the terrorism in this region. US is just looking at the wrong place, and is only trimming the branches instead of cutting the roots. I give you a hint, it has to do with the word WAR.
Hitting gilgit baltistan would be in gross violation of Indian state of j&k as it existed in 1947. USA will not hit it. It is a part of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Now please don't say it was freed by locals and is distinct from j&k. The fairy tales of Pakistan history books is famous and it should remain in fiction section of book stores. USA will be severely condemned by India if our territory and people are harmed by drones. Rab rakha
On the basis of that, Karachi deserve drone strikes at an early stage than G-B.
Gilgit was heaven on earth, before politics arrived here.
This time UN security council will authorize drone strikes & China may even sponsor, if not support the resolution.
so this is what it was all about?
I think Pakistan has nothing to worry about sovereignty etc because the drones will be from the lands of all weather friend this time. They may infact be welcome by pakistanis.
Why not Islamabad ??
Start the blame game and then put it on one another and do-not do anything about it. IG police should be fired if he can't do a job.