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By Dj Mathal
THE strong reaction to the NWFP's claim of royalty on the Diamer-Basha Dam and its bids to make the site disputed can be interpreted differently by different sections of society. However, we believe that such a reaction was long overdue not only from the office of the chief executive but also by the 36-member legislative assembly.
Keeping in view Mr Ghazanfar's past record of issuing such statements, no one can take the latest diatribe seriously, because since taking over as even deputy chief he has been issuing such statements repeatedly. Mr Ghazanfar is also accustomed of issuing warnings like once he threatened to resign if he was not provided with a big car, another time on non-provision of an official residence and then against lack of powers. But Islamabad often ignores his threats and statements - let alone accept his demands.
Moreover, he is also accustomed of forgetting his own demands quickly and living happily with whatever facilities and perks he is provided with. Even more strong threats have been coming from adviser health Haji Abdul Quddus in whose constituency the site of the Diamer Dam falls. He had been the vocal opponent of the Diamer Dam project right from day one but when former President Pervez Musaharraf came to inaugurate work on the site people in Gilgit-Baltistan and even around the world saw on their TV screens the same Haji Quddus chanting "Long live Musharraf" slogans.Under such circumstances, how the people of Gigit-Baltistan will believe the threats being issued by Mr Ghazanfar and the likes?
The Diamer-Basha Dam can be a blessing for Pakistan but it will be nothing but a source of destruction for the people of Gilgit-Baltsitan, especially in Diamer district. And therefore, the educated section of Gilgit-Baltistan can take such statements of the chief executive as a 'humorous poetry'. Mr Ghzanfar is right, however, that the situation is changing fast in the region.
This we have been stating in these columns long ago but then these so-called leaders were deep asleep. It would have been better had the chief executive convened a session of the assembly and after taking the members into confidence come out with a resolution conveying the reservations of the people in a strongest terms to
Pakistan and tendering en masse resignation in case the demands were not met by Islamabad. In this way, not only an acceptable solution could have been made to the issue but also the shortcomings of the four-year performance of the representatives would have been compensated for.
Instead of expressing his reservations, Mr Ghazanfar should have also gone to Mirpur once and meet the affected people of the Mangla Dam Raising project who have been running from pillar to post to get their rights.Our leaders especially those from the Diamer area never get tired giving the examples of the affected people of Mirpur and saying that they have been shifted to England where they are earning Sterling Pounds.
But they should understand that the locals of Mirpur were not sent to England by the government but the British executing company was in search of cheap labour force.This is time we should stand up to oppose the government plan otherwise after Haji Quddus's constituency, the Skardu dam will be built in Wazir Willayat's area, Hinzal dam in Himayatullah's area and Hamuchal dam will be constructed in Sultan Madad's constituency to provide water and electricity to Punjab.
We believe that only issuing statements will not suffice rather our leaders and elected representatives have to adopt joint measures against this illegal and anti-Gilgit-Baltistan project and to stop for ever double standards and duplicity of the rulers.Time will prove how far Mr Ghazanfar remains sincere in implementing his stance on the issue and protecting the region from submersion and other effects of the dam.One of the reasons for the over 61-year-long slavery of Gilgit-Baltistan is that our leader shave failed to highlight our issues on time.
It is the responsibility of people from all political parties, social organizations and other walks of life to play their role in this issue practically to protect the rights of the region
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