The violence in Karachi remains unchecked because, they say, it stems from a variety of causes including ethnic politics, sectarian jealousies, deeply-entrenched criminal gangs, economic disparities, foreign hand and what not.If you control one, the others get out of hand.About the continuing unrest in Balochistan, they say it is because of foreign interference, archaic tribal system, active sub-nationalism, sectarian strife, and intelligence agencies’ manoeuvrings.The ongoing turmoil in Fata region is largely attributed to terrorists, aggravated…
Posts published in April 2012
AFTER several days of violence, an army-led crackdown started late Thursday against members of sectarian outfits in Gilgit. The military is being assisted by the local administration, while the local police have been excluded from the operation. Curfew was also lifted for two hours in the Gilgit-Baltistan capital on Friday, giving citizens the chance to stock up on essential items. Violence erupted on Tuesday when a grenade attack targeted protesting workers of the Ahle Sunnat…
ABBOTABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan criticised President Zardari’s visit to India in the wake of the tragedy afflicted on Pakistan army in Siachin. Addressing a public gathering at College Ground on Sunday where some 20,000 to 25,000 people were in attendance, Imran said: “The nation will not forgive leaders who have no respect for the nation and its institutions, and who do not know how to stand by the state in trying times.” Assuring…
ISLAMABAD: Atiqa, Rani of Hunza has asked Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan to resign accepting his failure in maintaining the writ of the government throughout the peace-loving northern areas. Talking to Online in an exclusive interview, the head of formerly ruler family, Rani Atiqa said pro-development people of the areas were deprived of working environment at the beginning of their earning season. When asked about the reason behind the recent unrest in the tourist-favorite areas, she said…
GILGIT, April 7: A team comprising ministers and members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, headed by Law Minister Wazir Shakil, arrived in Nagir valley to negotiate the release of 32 people who were taken hostage by a mob in protest against those killed in Chilas earlier this week, police officials said on Saturday. A civil judge and a district health officer are among the hostages. Police said they were hopeful of a positive outcome of the…
More than 30 people still missing, 12 foreigners also stranded: report in The Express Tribune, Apr 8
GILGIT: More than 30 people are being held captive in Nagar Valley for the past four days following an outbreak of sectarian violence in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) that has already claimed at least 20 lives and injured 50 others. Meanwhile, G-B police, district administration, Rangers and G-B Scouts submitted a report regarding the unrest in the region to the federal government for necessary action. Authorities have not yet recovered the abducted people, who reportedly belong to…
By Peer Muhammad in the Express Tribune, Apr 8 ISLAMABAD: Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) police Inspector General (IG) Hussain Asghar has denied any foreign involvement in the recent strain of violence in the region, which has claimed around 20 lives. Talking to The Express Tribune via telephone, the IG maintained that few job opportunities and a high literacy rate among the resident youth was fueling dissatisfaction and was feeding the rise in sectarianism. “I don’t think there…
The sectarian violence that began in Gilgit and Chilas on April 3 has created anarchy and disorder for the region. A curfew was imposed after shooting broke out between gangs from rival sects, which have resulted in several deaths. The sufferings of people are growing rapidly as shortages of food and medicine are being reported and those who are gravely ill are unable to receive the help they need. The parents of a nine-month-old boy…
MUZAFFARABAD, April 6: The AJK police are hunting for an officer of a semi-autonomous institution facing three corruption cases after he escaped from his home in Mirpur on Friday. Police had parked their vehicles in a way to block the road in front of the house of Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed, former director (works) in Mirpur Development Authority (MDA). However, the accused sped his Prado jeep and after hitting one of the vehicles fled, Qazi Qadeer,…
GILGIT, April 6: Authorities launched a crackdown on activists of sectarian outfits and arrested dozens of people on Thursday night and early Friday morning, officials said. “Dozens have been arrested and more are yet to be taken into custody,” police officials said. They said that raids were carried out in various localities of the city, including Amphary, Basin, Napura, Narote, Naikkoi, Kashrote, Nagarl and some other parts of the area. Police officials said that raids…
SKARDU: Scores of protestors Thursday took to the streets to demonstrate against the outbreak of sectarian lawlessness in the region as well as the cold-blooded, execution-style killing of 13 bus passengers at Chilas earlier in the week. Section 144 has been imposed in Skardu as protests and shutterdown strike across Gilgit-Baltistan continued into the third consecutive day, with angry residents burning tyres and blocking roads. Alama Sheikh Muhammad Husan Jaffari led the procession and appealed…