By Senge Hasnan Sering
Two groups clashed on September 3 in the Gakuch town of Ghizer district of Gilgit Baltistan, which borders Afghanistan and Chitral. Several dozens were injured as individuals exchanged fire using modern automatic weapons and resorted to stone pelting and baton charge. Police used baton charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The groups afterwards held a meeting with the administration which concluded without any results. Emergency has been imposed in the district and police and security forces are on alert.
 
Local leaders met the authorities and warned the illegal settlers to confine to commercial activities rather than interfering in local politics. They also accused a journalist and his accomplices for the problems who were working with support of some agencies. Local Ismaili leaders Niyyat Wali Shah and Sultan Madad said that the efforts of some quarters to create rift among local Sunni minority and Ismaili majority will not bear fruit. He was addressing a protest as thousands of angry natives stormed out in defiance of emergency and accused some quarters of creating Gilgit-like situation in Ghizer. Sultan Madad accused the illegal settlers of using hefty amount of money to buy loyalties among the local Sunni minority to create sectarian tension. He warned to oust them from Ghizer if they continue to interfere in local politics. He said, "The culprits have been identified and authorities have been informed. Now it is up to them to solve the issue by arresting the culprits." However, records show that authorities often take side with individuals hired to instigate tension.
 
Leader of Balwaristan National Front (Naji faction) Nawaz Naji has accused certain quarters of trying to turn Ghizer into Afghanistan and providing opportunity to the extremists and pro-Taliban elements to overtake the district. He said that efforts to Talibanize Gilgit Baltistan will meet with strong opposition from the natives.
 
The events compel one to say that State Subject Rule must be restored to control arrival of Pakistanis who are mostly responsible for such social and economic problems
 
Meanwhile the search operation to de-weaponize Gilgit continues. Security forces have raided several hotels and guest houses where outsiders reside on long term basis. They bring automatic weapons with them and provoke sectarian sentiments to create mayhem in the city.
 
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has declared that members of political institutions selected by either other members or the higher authorities in Islamabad are not real representatives of common people. This has come at a time, when Gilgit Baltistan Council composed of fifteen selected members is about to have its debut session.
 
The GB Council has absolute authority over the management and exploitation of natural resources of Gilgit Baltistan like gold, uranium, copper, molybdenum, mica, precious stones, marble deposits, water resources, forest etc. Majority of the Council members are Pakistani citizens who are not answerable to the natives of GB and work only to protect the interests of Islamabad. The Council has veto power over the GB Legislative Assembly based in Gilgit.
 
All Parties National Alliance (APNA), an alliance of fourteen political parties of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and GB - has stated that political and administrative authority in GB rests with the Pakistani Chief Secretary and not the local Chief Minister. Not only that, the Troika of GB Council, Governor and Ministry of Kashmir Affairs actually control everything in GB. Up until now, Pakistan exploited GB without any framework. The creation of GB Council has actually institutionalised exploitation.

Land sliding in Bara village of District Gangche killed four and destroyed several villages. Slides took place due to tremors and rock shift. GB rests in an area with high seismic activity and is subjected to continuous tactonic movement. The current landsliding is one more evidence pointing towards the fact that dams should not be built in the region of great geo-physical activity.
 
Sincerely,
 
Senge Sering