Hunzatimes News Network » Gilgit-Baltistan

Water inflow in Ataabad lake increases

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:22:57 +0000

By Ijlal Hussain ( Editor Hunzatimes,Reporter Samaa Pakistan)

HUNZA: Higher temperatures have induced the melting of glaciers in Hunza, and that in turn, has increased the inflow of water in Ataabad lake, said sources Monday.

The inflow of water in Ataabad lake is recorded at 19,540 cusecs while the outflow is 19,845 cusecs.
The level of the lake has risen by 14 inches in the past 24 hours.

Many areas are feared to be inundated.According to the met department, temperature will continue to be high in upper Hunza in the next two days.

Council of Common Interest has unanimously approved the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:05:19 +0000

HT:The Council of Common Interest has unanimously approved the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam in order to meet a condition set by donors for the release of funds for the project on Sunday. The approval has been granted at CCI’s meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad. The Bhasha Dam project hit snags when the World Bank conveyed to the government that it would not release funds after India raised objections to it claiming that the project was located in Gilgit-Baltistan which it considered a disputed territory.

Addressing the meeting, the PM urged the Council to play a more effective role to resolve the lingering issues between the provinces and Federation.

Hunza Students Federation Three Years of Excellence

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:27:33 +0000

By Pyar Ali Sagi (Editor Hunzatimes)
Hunza Students Federation has completed three years of brilliance sine her existence in 7th July 2007, escorted the Students of Hunza at every platform to defend their rights and served the students without any discrimination. Under the umbrella of HSF the students of Hunza (Upper, Centre and Lower), enjoyed freedom in all sort of Activities. The organization with open bylaws of social welfare and facilitating student’s rights, in social concern assisted the students in financial and scholarship based programs.

For momentary look, we must know what were the achievements of HSF in the past year? Hunza students Federation mainly focus on pro active activities of the students.
During the elections of 2010 in Gilgit Baltistan Hunza Students Federation never be a part of any Political party, and work independently. The foremost achievement during that period organized a political debate of contenders of Hunza titled by “Political Enlightenment towards better future.” This is a historical achievement in the environment of Gilgit Baltistan.
Next the two Peace workers from Hunza, on their way from Khunjareb to Karachi were welcomed at Gilgit and HSF members participated in that walk making peace rally.
Hunza Students Federation organized different seminars; one of them is “Youth Career awareness” in a co operation with organizations.
At the premises of KIU, HSF being a key Students Organization, with mutual understanding with other students union try her level best to promote peace and harmony and involve in making positive decisions in the favor of University.
During disaster Period all the members of HSF engaged their selves in relief activities with collaboration with World Food Program, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Focus Pakistan and Many other Local Organizations and community Organizations.

In this year many rumors has been blustered up by some influential persons that Hunza Students Federation “is said to be a moral brigade that uses force to segregate students of the KIU on racial and sectarian grounds”. But everyone knows what HSF is and what are its endeavors? This is not right to say that HSF is segregating students on racial and sectarian bases. One should realize that HSF is a students union of all the sects and racial groups of Hunza. Three sects of Hunza are equally participating in HSF activities, and the students from three regions of Hunza taken good office in HSF.
Next to this many persons thought that HSF favored one of the political figure of Hunza, this is not the truth. Before election the supreme council and the cabinet of that time met at Gilgit and the resolution had been passed “all the members of HSF posses vote right, and they are free to cast their vote on their own interest, members cannot use good will of HSF to favor a single candidate, HSF will remain neutral.” Hunza Students Federation remained neutral in that regard.

So Hunza Student Federation is a Unique Student Organization, slogan “Intellect is our strength” defines the behavior of Organization, we believe in Educational Development, Harmony, Peace, Equality, Justice and Brotherhood. We are working for the better tomorrow on rational basis to avoid abhorrence from the region, shake hands with HSF to make a strong nation.

Sost will be given the status of tehsil: Mehdi

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:55:35 +0000

Sost Goja, Hunzatimes: CM Gilgit Baltistan Saeed Mehdi Shah visit Sost Gojal today along with law minister Shakeel , MLA Aftab Hyder, MLA Ayoub, DCO Hunza and Home secretary Gilgit Baltistan. He met the local people and the party activists here.

Before visiting Sost, on returning back from China he visits the family of a PPP leader Gohar Ayub for condolance at Khudabad, who passed away last week.

He attended a gathering organized by Sost Development Organization SDO at Sost High School. The Number dar of Sost Abdul Aziz presented him cap and traditional coat (Chuga).

Addressing the gathering he assured that Sost will be soon given the status of Tehsil. (Second Tehsil of Gojal) Mehi announce to upgrade the Sost high school to higher secondary school, he said that the notification will be issued writhen a week and the classes will commence after the notification. Mehdi also announce to construct a 10 bed hospital in Sost.

He further said Sost is gaining importance day by day due to the trade activates between Pakistan and China, and none of the previous Governments has paid attention toward this village. He said that drinking for Sost commercial and residential area will be supplied from Furzfurz Khujerav, for this the Government will launch a project which will be complete in a year.

Mehdi also assured that the local people well be given the priority for the employment in Kunjerav Security Force KSF.

Authorities are evacuateing more downstream villages

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 10:14:22 +0000

Photo By Saqlain Ahmed

HUNZA(HT): Authorities have evacuated more downstream villages as water level in the Attabad lake continues to rise and a breach seems imminent.

Different organizations involved in monitoring the lake have been providing contradictory figures regarding the top difference between the spillway and water level in the lake.

However, the administration of Hunza -Nagar claimed there is a difference of 11 feet.Officials said the water will be spilling out of the lake in another three to four days at a level of 210 cusecs. Adding to this, glaciers are expected to melt due to hot weather.

Meanwhile, residents of Hunza Nagar, Gilgit, Diamer and Chilas have been shifted to safer places.

Surging water destroying banks of Attabad Lake

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:56:13 +0000

By Ijlal Hussain ( Hunzatimes and Samaa Tv)

Surging water of Attabad Lake has started to eat away its banks and evacuation of residents of the area has set in motion, .The water level of Attabad Lake has inundated three villages.A gravely dangerous situation has errupted in area which has forced evacuation of people of the area.People are leaving the area to safer places and relief camps set up by the government of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The water of Attabad Lake is short of 25 feet from the spillways. In the face of danger of flood residents of low lying areas of Hunzanagar and Gilgit are about to evacuated to safer places and relief camps.By virtue of increasing water level in the Lake excavation of spillways of Lake has been stopped by the engineering team.Water level in the Lake has reached upper limit of 341 feet and water level is enhancing.

People of areas located at the height of 150 feet are evacuated today and residents of Salmanabad village are being evacuated.Correspondent of Hunzatimes is still not able come back from Shishkat due to Heavy Rainfall.

PPP mulling over expanding GB cabinet

Rumi Nadeem Aman — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:54:46 +0000

Gilgit: In a bid to include some of its dissident lawmakers into the Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) plans moving a resolution in the Legislative Assembly seeking expansion of the regional cabinet, sources said on Saturday.

“We are going to move a resolution in the assembly and hopefully it will sail through smoothly,” a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the ruling PPP told The Express Tribune. “The resolution will seek inclusion of four more ministers in the cabinet, increasing its strength to 10,” he said requesting anonymity. Chief Minister Mehdi Shah had announced his cabinet last week.

However, a number of PPP legislators complained about being ignored. And they expressed their resentment in the party’s meetings, sources told The Express Tribune. At least two PPP lawmakers – Muhammad Nasir and Abdul Hameed – struck a defiant tone after they chose to support a resolution tabled by an opposition MLA in the assembly on the Governor House issue.

An independent MLA, Raziuddin, accused the chief minister of foul-play in the elections for Gilgit-Balitistan Council. On the floor of the house he called the chief minister “a liar”. Muhammad Jaffer, the minister for agriculture and fisheries, said the PPP central leadership had asked them to get a resolution passed from the assembly for the expansion of the cabinet. “The struggle for portfolios will soon end,” he said, adding that intra-party consultations were also ongoing for the induction of four parliamentary secretaries. _Source

Portfolios for Gilgit-Baltistan ministers announced

Rumi Nadeem Aman — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:20:13 +0000

Gilgit: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah on Monday announced portfolios for ministers in his newly sworn-in cabinet. Senior minister Muhammad Jaffer has been given the portfolio of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wazir Shakil has been given the Ministries of Law, Planning, Water and Power, Muhammad Ali Akhtar has been given the charge of Finance, Revenue and Cooperatives, while Ali Madad Sher has been given the portfolio of Education, Social Welfare and Women Affairs. He will also be the spokesperson for the chief minister. Muhammad Ismail will be looking after the Ministry of Local Government and Census, while the lone cabinet member from the JUI-F has been given the portfolio of Population, Health, Zakat and Ushr.

The chief minister decided to retain key portfolios of Environment, Tourism, Public Works and Minerals. Shah said that he was planning to induct a couple of more ministers in the cabinet after consultation with the lawmakers. Speaking to reporters at his office, Chief Minister Shah refused to support or oppose the demand for more provinces in the country, saying that he would give his opinion, if consulted by the PPP to which he belongs. “If I am consulted, I will give my opinion,” Shah told journalists.

He was asked if he supported the creation of new provinces in the country as demanded by the people of southern Punjab and the Hazara division. “For us it is sufficient that Gilgit-Baltistan has been given the status of province,” he added. The chief minister strongly criticised nationalist politicians in the region for, what he called, “their dual policies”. “On the one hand they are using Pakistani currency, while on the other hand they are demanding autonomy,” Shah said.

“I ask these nationalists to ask their relatives serving in government departments to resign before making such demands,” he said referring to some regional groups opposed to self-rule in Gilgit-Baltistan. On Sunday, chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Sardar Muhammad Sagir Khan had called the Gilgit- Baltistan Self-Empowerment Order 2009 a “joke”. He had urged the government to form a one-unit constituent assembly by combining the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). However, the chief minister rejected the criticism, saying that it was a national responsibility of all the people to work for strengthening Self- Empowerment Order which paved way for self-governance.

Asked why PPP lawmakers did not respond to the opposition’s tirades in the assembly, Shah said that his party was following a policy of reconciliation. “It is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

Source

Gilgit-Baltistan Public Works Department suffered loss of Rs 637 million

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:44:52 +0000

By Aftab Maken
The Gilgit-Baltistan Public Works Department has suffered a loss of Rs637 million due to mismanagement, contract mismanagement, losses, overpayment and non-recovery during the financial year 2008/09, an audit report revealed on Saturday.

Of the total audit observations, the report said that Rs306 million was lost due to mismanagement, Rs253 million due to contract mismanagement, Rs65 million non-recovery, Rs12 million as over payments and Rs1 million under miscellaneous losses.

In the last budget, the department was allocated Rs5.10 billion against the total expenditure of Rs3.48 billion for FY08/09, whereas the audited expenditure amounted to Rs1.67 billion with the audited paras of Rs637 million, it said.

The department had to recover Rs262 million, but it had only recovered Rs76 million.

Interestingly, the department did hot hold single meeting of the departmental accounts committee for settling these audited observations.

The departments award of work at higher rates and beyond the permissible limits caused it a loss of Rs176 million when the executive engineer, water and power divisions of Ghanche, Gilgit and Ghizer awarded development works at their respective districts, it said.

A sum of Rs161 million as shortfall and non-achievement of revenue targets has resulted in an additional burden on the national exchequer when Water and Power Department, Gilgit-Baltistan reported lesser demand of electricity against the generation capacity.

The executive engineer, water and power divisions in Skardu, Chilas and Ghanche reported a cumulative loss of Rs122 million due to non-revision of tariff, the audit report said.

It also highlighted Rs65 million as non-recovery when the Buildings and Road Division, Skardu fails to recover the cost of damages and electricity charges and Water and Power Division, Chilas also fails to recover the cost of installation of energy meters. Similarly buildings and roads divisions of Hunza and Chilas also fail to recover secured advance and mobilisation advance from the contractors.

The audit also identified Rs12 million as overpayment due to measurement of separate items, incorrect classification of soil, work beyond the provision of specification, higher rates, calculation mistakes, non-provision of specification, non-deduction of stacking charges and excess payments. An amount of Rs11 million was also lost due to non-acceptance of the lowest bid within the validity period, causing additional expenditures, it added.

The audit paras amounted to Rs41 million under various heads, including irregular calling of tenders (Rs7.2 million), irregular expenditure (Rs5.5 million), non-obtaining of bank guarantee (Rs5.5 million), hiring inefficient PD (Rs4.6 million), undue financial aid and non-recovery of balance (Rs4.2 million), higher bids (Rs3.8 million), blockage of government money (Rs2.5 million) and unjustified and excess payments (Rs7.6 million).

Courtesy :TN

Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet announced

Rumi Nadeem Aman — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:50:54 +0000

ISLAMABAD (APP) : A ten-member cabinet for Gilgit-Baltistan was announced here on Friday.

Announcement to this effect was made jointly by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Shah, Chief Minister of Gilgit and Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah here.

The Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet consisted of six ministers, two advisors and two special assistants. M Jaffar was inducted as Senior Minister while Ali Sher, Engineer Ismail, Muhammad Ali Akhtar and Wazir Shakil as ministers. One member of JUI-F was also made minister. Sadia Danish and Aftab Haider were made Advisors while Nasir and M Musa Special Assistants.

Mian Manzoor Wattoo told mediamen that the GB govt was a coalition of Pakistan Peoples Party and its allies. He said the federal govt would take steps for the empowerment and granting rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the passage of 18th Amendment Bill would ensure restoration of 1973 Constitution and help strengthen democratic institutions in the country.

Wattoo said the credit for empowering the people of Gilgit and Baltistan as well as restoration of the Constitution, went to the PPP leadership.
He said it was a historic decision of the PPP to share the credit for the 18th Constitutional Amendment with other political parties.

Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Shah also spoke on the occasion. Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari and his team for the passage of 18th Constitutional Amendment with consensus.