Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By Syed Shams Uddin In a world where public offices often become bastions of inaccessibility and bureaucratic indifference, a resident of Gilgit-Baltistan took to Facebook on June 29, 2025, to pay tribute to a civil servant from the Planning Department of Gilgit-Baltistan. Though the official's name eludes recall despite diligent attempts to retrieve the original post, the essence of the message remains vivid. The official was lauded as a rare exception—an embodiment of compassion, humility, and ethical responsibility. The heartfelt post resonated widely, offering a refreshing and inspiring glimpse of what public service can—and should—truly represent. While numerous government functionaries adopt airs of arrogance, distancing themselves from the very people they are meant to serve, this official was praised as “the beautiful face of the entire region.” The tribute did not merely flatter; it carefully illustrated the character, behavior, and moral choices of an individual whos...

By Syed Shams Uddin In the digital age, social media has emerged as one of the most transformative tools in shaping public discourse and influencing administrative responsiveness. While it initially began as a platform for social interaction, over time it has evolved into a dynamic medium through which citizens can voice grievances, flag official misconduct, and highlight systemic issues with immediacy and reach that traditional means of communication often lacked. This evolution has deep implications for governance in developing democracies such as Pakistan. At the heart of good governance lies the ability of the state to respond to the needs and concerns of its citizens in a timely and just manner. However, the bureaucratic machinery, often burdened by red tape, resource constraints, and entrenched hierarchies, has historically struggled to provide swift redress to public complaints. For the common citizen—especially those from marginalized segments—this often meant resorting t...

By Syed Shams Uddin The Light That Once Was: A Lament and a Call for Renewal in Gilgit-Baltistan “There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream, The earth and every common sight, To me did seem Apparell’d in celestial light, The glory and the freshness of a dream.” — William Wordsworth There truly was such a time in Gilgit. A time when the rhythm of nature shaped daily life, and the land flowed with a quiet, unspoiled grace now almost unimaginable. For those of us who lived through the 1960s and earlier, Gilgit-Baltistan was not merely a picturesque landscape — it was a realm of serenity, harmony, and purity. Even the most ordinary scenes seemed suffused with something ethereal. At the heart of this tranquil world was the Gilgit River — the pulse of the valley. Fed by ancient glaciers, its waters ran pure and icy, safe to drink straight from the banks. Children splashed and played along its shores; women washed clothes in its current; entire households depended on it, without h...

By Syed Shams Uddin Rustam-e-Gilgit and the Giants of Strength: A Cultural Chronicle from Gilgit-Baltistan In the timeless valleys and towering mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, stories of superhuman strength and indomitable will have long echoed through the region’s oral traditions. Carried from generation to generation, these tales celebrate men whose might rivaled myths—embodying not only brute power but also deep humility and unwavering resilience. Among these, two names stand tallest: Doulat Shah of Nagar, revered as Rustam-e-Gilgit, and Mehrban of Sharote, fondly remembered as a mountain of muscle. 1. Lineage of Strength: Giants of the Bygone Era: Long before Doulat Shah and Mehrban, the rugged terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan had given rise to two unsung heroes of formidable strength namely Zeeraik from Chalokote Farfu and Dodooh Pahlawan from Sinakar, says a chronicler Shah Hussain from Chirah, Bagrote. From Chalokote in Bagrote Valley came Zeeraik, a legendary figure known to have lif...

By Syed Shams Uddin As global awareness grows around the threats of climate change, countries like China have begun implementing radical solutions such as forest cities — urban spaces where buildings are covered with thousands of trees and plants to mitigate air pollution and rising temperatures. While such grand innovations may seem out of reach for economically modest regions like Gilgit-Baltistan, their underlying philosophy — that of integrating nature into urban design — is deeply relevant, perhaps even essential, for our part of the world. The environmental challenges faced by Gilgit-Baltistan are stark and immediate. Once characterized by clean mountain air, glacial rivers, and green valleys, many parts of the region are now under siege from unplanned urban expansion, haphazard construction, and the rapid loss of vegetation. Increasing tourist influx, combined with infrastructure pressures and population growth, has led to the mushrooming of concrete dwellings — often at t...

By Syed Shams Uddin A recent Facebook post by The Sacred Science casts an evocative and illuminating spotlight on the ancient, potent tradition of shamanism—particularly the sacred practice known among its initiates as “spiritual journeying” into what is termed non-ordinary reality. Rooted in indigenous wisdom that spans continents, this transformative practice transcends the physical plane, allowing practitioners to commune with benevolent spirits for healing, insight, and guidance. The post resonates deeply—especially for those familiar with the mountain cultures of Gilgit-Baltistan, where such traditions, though often cloaked in secrecy, have been whispered about for generations in twilight gatherings beside hearth fires. For the people of Gilgit, this post rekindles memories of one of the region’s most enigmatic and revered spiritual figures: the legendary shaman of Satmaski, Zarbiali of Bagrote Valley. A figure celebrated as both healer and mystic, Zarbiali looms large in th...

By Syed Shams Uddin Education is often seen as the key to progress, but what if it focused not just on intellect but also on emotional intelligence? In Denmark, empathy is reportedly being taught as a school subject, alongside mathematics and science, instilling in children the ability to understand, relate to, and support others. If implemented in other societies—such as in Pakistan and for that matter, in Gilgit-Baltistan—this approach could lead to a profound transformation, shaping future generations into kinder, more responsible, and socially aware citizens. The Importance of Empathy in Human Development Empathy is the ability to put oneself in another person's shoes, to feel their joy, pain, and struggles. It is not just a moral virtue but a crucial skill that affects relationships, decision-making, leadership, and even economic progress. Studies have shown that societies where empathy is deeply ingrained tend to have lower crime rates, stronger community bonds, and greater...

By Syed Shams Uddin I recently had the chance to watch an exceptionally inspiring interview of Muhammad Amin Zia, conducted on March 21, 2021, by the renowned poet and bureaucrat Rehman Shah on Ibex Media Network (IMN). The interview illuminated the remarkable contributions of Muhammad Amin Zia, who embodies the rare and distinguished qualities of a poet, author, and educationist. With his eloquent Urdu, Rehman Shah began by tracing the literary history of the region, emphasizing the persistent efforts of intellectuals who pursued knowledge despite an unfavorable educational environment. Over time, he noted, these endeavors bore fruit. He went on to commend Muhammad Amin Zia’s outstanding contributions, particularly highlighting his pioneering work in compiling a precise Shina dictionary comprising some 1500 words back in 1974 —a monumental achievement in the preservation and development of the language. About his propensity, Zia said it is always his wont to embark on a a very ne...