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Posts published in May 2015

G-B masses most deprived of rights, says Imran: by Meraj Alam in the Nation, May 18, 2015

GILGIT – Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan said that people of Gilgit-Baltistan are the most deprived of their rights. “Change in Gilgit-Baltistan will come after general elections,” he stated this while addressing a public gathering at Lalik Jan Stadium, Gilgit on Sunday via telephone from Islamabad. The PTI chief said that he would visit Gilgit very soon. He said the two parties would continue looting the country, including G-B, if there was no PTI.…

Gilgit-Baltistan and the New Great Game: by Aziz Ali Dad in the News, May 17, 2015

The writer is a freelance columnist based in Islamabad. The famous Silk Route has witnessed many vicissitudes for more than two millennia. This route was disrupted many times because of political events engulfing the regions spanning from Ch’ang-an, modern day Sian to the Mediterranean region and Europe. However, trade on the Silk Route continued to flourish because its multiple arteries enabled traders to dodge political upheavals and geographic hurdles. During the twentieth century areas along…

PML-N largest party to contest GB polls: report in the News, May 17, 2015

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the largest party in the campaign for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections as it has fielded candidates for all seats in the contest. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is runner-up with 16 while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on third position with 15 candidates so far. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who informally kicked-off the campaign last month by visiting Gilgit would visit the area immediate after the election next…

Shifting allegiances: PPP senior leader Islamuddin defects to PML-N

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2015 GILGIT: Another leader of Pakistan Peoples Party in Gilgit-Baltistan has decided to join Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, making the latter’s position stronger before the legislative elections scheduled for June 8. Islamuddin, a senior PPP leader, announced his decision during a news conference at Gilgit Press Club on Saturday. The meeting was attended by a large number of his supporters – who also joined the party –…

Gilgit-Baltistan and the New Great Game: by Aziz Ali Dad in the News, May 17, 2015

The writer is a freelance columnist based in Islamabad. The famous Silk Route has witnessed many vicissitudes for more than two millennia. This route was disrupted many times because of political events engulfing the regions spanning from Ch’ang-an, modern day Sian to the Mediterranean region and Europe. However, trade on the Silk Route continued to flourish because its multiple arteries enabled traders to dodge political upheavals and geographic hurdles. During the twentieth century areas along…

Islamabad-Muzaffarabad rail link: report in the News, May 17, 2015

Islamabad: The feasibility report for Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad railway link will be completed by May 30, 2015. A Pakistani company is working in collaboration with an Austrian company under a joint venture to work out the feasibility report. The project includes 20 kilometre long Murree-Muzaffarabad tunnel. Balimar is proposed to be site for construction of railway station in Murree. In the prospective feasibility report, 60 meters wide strip is being sought for railway track. Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad railway link…

PML-N largest party to contest GB polls: report in the News, May 17, 2015

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the largest party in the campaign for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections as it has fielded candidates for all seats in the contest. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is runner-up with 16 while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on third position with 15 candidates so far. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who informally kicked-off the campaign last month by visiting Gilgit would visit the area immediate after the election next…

Shifting allegiances: PPP senior leader Islamuddin defects to PML-N

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2015 GILGIT: Another leader of Pakistan Peoples Party in Gilgit-Baltistan has decided to join Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, making the latter’s position stronger before the legislative elections scheduled for June 8. Islamuddin, a senior PPP leader, announced his decision during a news conference at Gilgit Press Club on Saturday. The meeting was attended by a large number of his supporters – who also joined the party –…

Dangerous labels; Editorial in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2015

The identification of potential terrorists by the examination of metadata regarding their movements and contacts can be dangerously imprecise — as has been discovered by the bureau chief of an international TV station who is based in Islamabad. Metadata is the word used to describe a collation of small elements to build a big picture. This will include location (of the subject), who they phone and who phones them, the timing and length of calls…

Provision of funds for Neelum-Jhelum power project reviewed: report in the News, May 16, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Federal minister for finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has directed the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) to explore financing of $575 million for the Neelum Jhelum hydropower project (NJHP). The minister chaired a high-level meeting here Friday to review financing arrangements for the NJHP. Khawaja Mohammad Asif, federal minister for water and power was also present on the occasion. The finance minister was briefed on the progress of the project and was informed that to-date…

Army to be deployed for polls in Gilgit, Diamer: by JAMIL NAGRI in Dawn, May 15th, 2015

GILGIT: The authorities have recommended deployment of army at polling stations in Gilgit and Diamer districts during the upcoming polls. The polls for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly will be held on June 8. “The administration has forwarded a summary to Chief Election Commissioner Syed Tahir Ali Shah recently, recommending deployment of army at polling stations in Diamer and Gilgit,” an official said. The administration fears law and order situation at the polling stations in the two districts…