PM’s visit washes away remaining hopes

By Dj Mathal

The recent rains and floods have caused unprecedented destructions in all parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and according to initial estimates about 1,350 people have lost their lives with over 200 others gone missing. Besides, the losses in terms of damages to property including houses, roads, telecommunication infrastructure, standing crops, orchard trees and cattle run into billions of rupees. As such, about 0.5 million people are said to be directly or indirectly affected by the deluges in the region. The most crippling effect has come from the closure of the vital Karakoram Highway which has severed link of the region with Pakistan, China as well as within the districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. This has not only stopped trade with China running into billions of rupees but also caused huge economic losses to small farmers who depended for their survival on the proceeds from the sale of tomatoes, potatoes and other farm products especially fruit items. The trustees of the Sost Dry Port have so far suffered Rs300 million of losses.

On the other hand, due to disruption in the road network, the whole region is facing crisis of essential commodities. Items of daily-use are not available in the region in the first place and if anything is left with some shopkeepers, they are taking undue advantage of the situation by overcharging the consumers. Due to unavailability of roads, petrol and diesel have become the most sought-after items in the region and the situation in the far off areas is even worse. Reports say petrol is selling in the black market from 180 to 250 rupees per litre and diesel 190 to 280 rupees per litre. Similarly, the 20 kg bag of wheat flour which was available at Rs600 before the floods is now being black-marketed at the rate of 2,050 rupees per sack. The situation for other daily-use items is not different. Besides, due to damages to fruit trees and orchards, their supply to the markets has been stopped and the available items are spoiled and not worthy of consumption. In short, the whole region presents the look of total destruction and chaos.

When we see the situation in Pakistan where the floods have also brought widespread destructions, we see that the government, civil society organizations and philanthropists have come out for helping the affected people and are collecting donations for their rehabilitation. Besides, help is also coming from donor agencies and foreign governments fro the victims. Governments in Europe, America, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East have also announced donations and plans to help the victims in Pakistan. On the other hand, the destruction and losses in Gilgit-Baltistan is much more compared to Pakistan but none of the Pakistani NGOs or other agencies has come to the rescue and help of the victims in this unfortunate region. Even uncontroversial person like Imran Khan has not expressed any word in support of the flood-devastated people of Gilgit-Baltista. In such a situation, it seems that there is no one who can share the tragedy and grief with the affected people of Gilgit-Balatistan.

The media in Gilgit-Baltistan highlighted the destructions in the region in accordance with its strength and capacity which compelled the chief minister of the region, Mr Mehdi Shah, to appeal to the federal government for help. Besides, the so-called elected representatives and members of the dummy legislative assembly also apprised President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani of the losses in terms of human lives and public and private properties and compelled the latter to visit the region and get first-hand information about the situation and announce a special package for reconstruction in the region. The chief minister, who belongs to the ruling PPP, was confident that the federal government would announce handsome funds for the region which would not only help the local government in the reconstruction process but would also be instrumental in regaining the lost image of the ruling party in the region. But what to do about the attitude of the federal government which still considers the region as its colony and the proof of this came to the fore during the visit of the prime minister to the region. Though the prime minister came to Gilgit, but the jialas were not even allowed to have a glimpse of their so called leader and even the local media was kept in the dark about the visit. Mr Gilani after having a photo session with the local elected representatives of his party returned to Islamabad. The chief minister has already said that the region needed 10 billion rupees for the reconstruction projects but the prime minister handed him only half a billion rupees which would only be utilized for provision of food items to the affected people. There is no talk about the losses caused to houses, crops, fruits and cattle in the region.

The attitude of the federal government towards the calamity-hit people of Gilgit-Baltistan exhibited through the visit of the prime minister stoked public anger in the region. To cope with the rising situation in a traditional manner, the federal government adopted its old tactic of pushing the region into the fire of sectarian violence and its first wave was seen on Wednesday and Thursday in the city of Gilgit. Despite presence of law enforcement agencies in hordes, the city saw indiscriminate firing for whole four hours during which four innocent citizens lost their lives in addition to damages to public and private properties including houses. During all this mayhem, it seemed that the area had no administration or government writ to protect the lives and properties of the people.

It is mind-boggling that in the face of the destruction brought by the floods, the government is unable to formulate a plan for providing relief to the affected people and their rehabilitation. When the people are already passing through critical days after the flooding, they have been given the gift of sectarian killing and violence. If the PPP-led federal government is unable to come to the help of the people of the region, or if its does not want to help them at all; it should consider the future of the party in the region and for its survival provide needed help to the region in this critical time.

Islamabad should appeal for international assistance for Gilgit-Baltistan because the world community may have some reservations in providing donations to Pakistan but as far as Gilgit-Baltistan is concerned, already it is a disputed region whose status has to be resolved under the UN resolutions and there will be no second thought in any country in coming to the direct help of the region.

(www.bangesahar.com)