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Gilgit-Baltistan’s Constitutional Quest: A Unified Demand

Syed Shams Uddin All Parties Conference on Gilgit-Baltistan’s Constitutional Status Quite fortunate it is that the All Parties Conference (APC) held on January 17, 2025, at Islamabad’s National Press Club represents a landmark moment in Gilgit-Baltistan’s prolonged struggle for constitutional recognition. This event signifies a rare political consensus among various factions, including representatives from the PML-N, PPP, PTI, JUI-F, Majlis-i-Wahdat Muslimeen, Islami Tehreek-i-Pakistan, and the GB government spokesperson. The collective demand for constitutional recognition underscores the urgency of resolving GB’s ambiguous status within Pakistan’s political framework. Historical Context and Constitutional Ambiguity Gilgit-Baltistan has remained in a constitutional limbo since its liberation from Dogra rule in 1947. Historically, the region was forcibly annexed by the Jammu and Kashmir State during the latter half of the 19th century but was eventually freed by its own people on Nove...
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ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN

By Syed Shams Uddin Manzar Shigri's latest podcast, aired on K2, January 10, 2025, sheds light on the alarming electricity shortage in Gilgit-Baltistan in 2025. The region continues to grapple with a severe energy crisis, marked by minimal power supply, often limited to just two hours a day in urban centers. This chronic shortage has had profound implications for the daily lives of residents, particularly as the harsh winter intensifies. Shigri highlighted the recent protests in Hunza, where women and children played an active role in drawing attention to the issue. The demonstrations ultimately led to a government assurance to address the energy crisis by deploying thermal power solutions. However, this temporary arrangement has sparked debates among environmentalists, who express concerns over the pollution caused by diesel generators. As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, residents fear the worsening of the already dire situation. Meanwhile, several hydropower projects remai...

GIGLIT-BALTISTAN'S FORESTS -A CALL FOR ACTION

Syed Shams Uddin The Vital Importance of Forests in Gilgit-Baltistan: A Call for Action Environmental experts emphasize that for a country to maintain economic equilibrium and environmental stability, at least 25% of its total land area should ideally be under forest cover. However, Pakistan's forest cover is alarmingly low, comprising only about 4% of its total area. This national figure, concerning as it is, paints an even graver picture when it comes to Gilgit-Baltistan, the country's northernmost region and home to the critical water towers that sustain Pakistan's lifelines. Gilgit-Baltistan, a region of towering peaks and breathtaking landscapes, is alarmingly deficient in forest cover. The forested areas within the region are distributed as follows: 1. Chilas, Darel, and Tangir: 848 square miles 2. Astore: 120 square miles 3. Gilgit, Punyal, and Nagar: 96 square miles 4. Baltistan: 36 square miles Collectively, this accounts for a mere 4% of the region’s total area, ...

ICE STUPA WATER SOLUTION .

Syed Shams Uddin The concept gained popularity and was subsequently replicated in Baltistan, where climate change and glacial retreats have disrupted traditional water sources. The initiative underscores the community-driven potential of low-cost, eco-friendly solutions to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. Tackling Water Scarcity in Gilgit-Baltistan: The Promise of Ice Stupas Water scarcity during the critical months of March and April poses a significant challenge to the arid and semi-arid regions of Gilgit-Baltistan. Innovative methods to mitigate this issue are currently underway, offering a sustainable and scientific approach to water management. Among these, the concept of Ice Stupas has emerged as a beacon of hope. If proven successful, this solution could be replicated across other water-scarce areas of the region, where traditional practices like glacier-grafting have been attempted but with limited success. In the past, communities in areas such as Jutal and Nom...

GILGIT-BALTISTAN’S CAREER DIPLOMATS

Syed Shams Uddin Gilgit-Baltistan's Career Diplomats: A Testament to the Region's Talent A recent report on social media, dated January 1, 2025, highlighted the ascent of highly educated and talented individuals from Gilgit-Baltistan to prominent positions in Pakistan's Foreign Service, vividly showcasing the region's abundant talent. Historically, notable diplomats from Baltistan, Bunji (Astore) and Diamir district rose to prominence in Pakistan's Foreign Service over time, reflecting the intellectual and professional caliber nurtured in this region. Last year, it was learned that one of these diplomats held the key position of Additional Secretary, Foreign Affairs, in Islamabad. Today, this tradition of excellence continues, exemplified by the appointment of Muhammad Saleem from Goharabad, Diamer, as Pakistan's High Commissioner to Canada in simultaneous with assigning the so much important and crucial role of the spokesman for Foreign Ministry to Shafqat Ali...

Echoes of Despair: Wali Nagri’s Lament for Justice and Redemption

Syed Shams Uddin A magnificent and unparalleled poetic masterpiece, Wali Nagri’s verses resonate with the profound anguish of a soul burdened by the relentless weight of despair. The composition, deeply melancholic yet strikingly poignant, serves as a mirror to the poet’s tormented state, where unspoken sorrow flows into words that cut through the reader’s heart like a blade of truth. In my humble attempt, I have endeavored to render his haunting Urdu verses into English, capturing their depth and essence: May the new year prove to be a blessed one. My world has been shattered, O Lord, Life itself has turned into a punishment, O Lord. May the Final Guide arrive swiftly, For tyranny has reached its peak, O Lord. The opening lines, “Allah Karay naya sal Mubarak ho,” carry a semblance of hope—a fragile wish for renewal and blessing. Yet, this glimmer of optimism is quickly overshadowed by the weight of sorrow that follows. The poet’s world, described as utterly shattered, evokes an imag...

Bridging Cultures: A Celebration of Zafar Waqar Taj’s Literary Legacy in New York

Syed Shams Uddin The meteoric rise of Zafar Waqar Taj in the realm of Shina poetry stands as a testament to his remarkable talent and mastery of the craft, earning him recognition and acclaim far beyond the borders of his native region. Notably, Taj’s proficiency extends seamlessly to both Shina and Urdu poetry, a rare duality indicative of his exceptional literary acumen. Yet, his apparent preference for Shina over Urdu reflects his deep connection to his roots and his alignment with the growing cultural resurgence among the people of the region. Taj’s poetical compositions are a compelling blend of profound thought, vivid imagination, nuanced insight, and a delicate sensitivity, all of which underscore his stature as a poet of considerable depth. His ability to weave diverse customs, traditions, and themes into his poetry further highlights his versatility and his skill in connecting the universal with the regional. The event in New York, organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan dias...