When technology ceased to function!

RDs Monitoring Desk
By:Shamsuddin Muhammad

Electricity has the same role for the functioning of technology as the blood in human body. This came quite true when majority of areas of Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Baltistan, Ghanche and some of Gilgit district following heavy rain pour hopelessly plunged into darkness for more than three weeks. Flood water has reportedly destroyed all water channels including main water channels responsible for both irrigation and drinkable water purposes as in some places to help plants to generate hydro power in the above said areas, leaving population in anxiety and clouds of darkness . Main irrigation channels and the channel for only hydro power generation plant Hasanabad in central Hunza, for instance ruined for more than 200 meter long from the opening at nalah following a monsoon cycle hit the region since the beginning of August. Two kilo wat power generated plant at Guro, Lower Nagar and Naltar hydro power plant has also paritally washed away by flood water during heavy rains. Cell phones went silent,Internet connections disconnected soon, leaving no option to keep connect with out side world. Similarly, Silli-Haring water channel in Yasin of Ghizer district has also reported damaged badly. In Ishkoman, floods have inflicted indescribable devastation as cultivated land and orchards have leveled to the ground within few moments. Rumors of suspension of food supply, petroleum products created havoc among masses. Absence of electricity, LPG and Kerosene oil triggered sufferings of a common man.
The year 2010 would be remembered as one of the disastrous year for it beget various tragedies across the globe in terms of earth quakes, massive landslides, flesh floods and fire incidents that claimed hundred of thousands of human lives and ruined property. According to available reports scarcity of petroleum products especially diesel has brought negative implication on budget of a common man. The fares (travel charges) of both inter and outer cities, from and to Aliabad, for instance have been increased by 100 percent on pretext of scarcity of fuel. At the same time, public circles have alleged petrol pump owners involved in black marketing of petroleum products in the region. A reliable source established that diesel was offered for sale for mere four hours on Sunday evening at a price 100 higher than usual which later was closed on excuse of shortage. Consequently, public is forced to pay according to the demand of few vehicle owners who were able to store fuel for any emergency. On the other hand, little is being done to repair devastated infrastructure leading to road accidents at various places. Commuters using boat service have blamed that boat owners are exploiting the
situation by demanding higher travel charges to sail. Lack of any check and balance, Gilgit-Baltistan Power and Works department (GBPWD), a department designated as second most corrupt public organization resorted to its lethargic role. Supporting walls of the roads, even after two weeks are in the same condition. While the local representation has little bother to visit the areas in trouble, a worse example of negligence.
The intrinsic failures of capability, mental capacity, vision, performance, un-inhibited corruption, widespread greed and graft has brought public organizations came on nuts. There are expectations and a need to deliver, to do at least to justify their claim of so-called research and development. There is a need for correction in perception in civil society circles claims for more awareness about their rights but little is emphasis over obligations that healthy society seeks from one both individually and collectively. As a result, every one in the areas is running after his
personal interest, leaving rest to suffer. A persistent and perceptible change is indispensable to measure and induce public organizations to dispense their duties on one hand and to fulfil one's obligation to create a harmonious, sustainable and integrated society-key towards overcoming challenges faces the region currently.
Electricity (hydro), produced indigenously is main engine of activities ranging from daily chores to the commercial one. Any suspension in its supply costs population a lot. Lack of planning with respect to population growth rate and continuous expansion in living periphery has served to frequent power power breakdowns and unscheduled
load shedding. Being a part of the society, both the local representation and power and works department can be urged to take remedial steps through proper need analysis for the next two decades and propose them to the Gilgit-Blatistan government to materialized immediately to get the people rid of the menace.This will serve to build confidence over public organizations especially the line departments which failed to gain public appraise so far amidst challenges posed to the areas in form of disasters.


Courtesy: VoH

Huge gold reserves found in Yasin village

Monitoring report

YASIN, Feb.01: A huge reserve of gold have been discovered at the Qhorqholti village of Yasen, the former capital of the ancient Brushal state, which is situated at a distance of about 10 km from the tehsil headquarters, it has been learnt here.As a result, national and international firms and companies have swung into action to put their hands on the natural wealth buried at the village. In the fore front of the companies searching for the gold reserves are Chinese and a dozen are Chinese firms are said to be arriving in the area to cash in on the situation.

YASIN Valley, once known for natural beauty may become center of focus for many due to identification of natural resources into its crest

According to the foreign experts, the area has vast reserves of gold, copper, iron, sulphur etc and their exploitation can bring a revolution not only in the region but also in the whole country.There are a number of Pakistan and other companies who are planning to get lease of the minerals in the areas. However, the mineral development department of Gilgit-Baltistan has not yet taken any initiative to start work on the project.It is also being reported that there have sound of been numerous underground blasts in the mineral rich village of Qhorqholti and the experts say that these sounds of blast are a result of clash between high quality sulphur. The residents say that if a reputed national or international firm is allowed to work on the exploitation of the mineral, the destiny of the region can be changed overnight.However, the people say that Gilgfit-Baltistan is a disputed area and without the agreement of the local people no outsider company can be given permission to work on the project in the region. Earlier, people of Gandaye area in Yasen started protest against a Chinese company when it was given lease of mineral exploitation.It has also been learnt that the government of Pakistan is planning to lease out the reserve by keeping the local people in the dark. However, the residents not only rejected the government's plan but also warned it of dire consequences. They also called upon the international community to put pressure on Pakistan not to exploit the resources of the disputed region without taking its people into confidence, Weekly Baang reports.