He was referring to the three policemen who were arrested by security forces in connection with killing civilians belonging to rival sects in Gilgit, an episode which had created panic in government circles.
“I warn all government employees to not work for their sects (it can be sectarian organisation), if they still persist in doing so then they will no longer be tolerated,” said Shah on Tuesday while addressing a seminar organised by an NGO, Plan Pakistan, in Gilgit .
Gilgit has had a history of sectarian violence since the early 1970s. In August, at least 10 people died in target killings and many were injured during a fresh wave of violence. The chief minister in an attempt to discourage the trend posted over 50 policemen from the violence-scarred Gilgit to other districts.
NGO launch
Plan Pakistan has launched in Gilgit-Baltistan and aims to end corporal punishment in schools, which is common in government schools in the region as it is considered an essential part of education.
“The teacher has a pivotal role in society and hence should be a role model,” said Shah, adding that his government would act against everyone who was politicising the educational institutions in Gilgit-Baltistan to achieve their personal objectives. He was referring to strikes by the teaching staff which had resulted in the removal of the principal of cadet college Skardu this week.
Earlier the education minister, Ali Madad Sher, announced plans to make two model schools in every district in order to lift the quality of education in all the schools.
He offered his support to the NGO saying that punishment should be banned in schools so that it did not leave a negative impact on the minds of children.
Wasim Yaqoob, the director of the NGO, said that they would train schoolteachers to provide a child-friendly education to students.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2010.
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