By Fida Karim

On 14^th August, 1947 Pakistan has come into being through a democratic process under the leadership of Quad-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. But the irony is that event after the lapse of more than six decades the democracy is still at its nascent stage in Pakistan. Due to which democratic norms and traditions have not been established and practicing on sound footing in our country. Resultantly, we – the voters – are electing wrong leaders to represent us in our legislative bodies that have eventually disappointing us in coming up to our expectations in quality of service delivery and legislation in the wider interest of their constituents.

Now that when the 12^th general elections of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) are going to be held on June 8, 2015, it is right time to have a look on the profiles of contending members from GBLA-6 Hunza and take right decision to represent us in GBLA during coming five years. We know that there are 11 candidates from GBLA-6 Hunza. Prominent amoung them are Mr. Zafar Iqbal from PPP, Mir Ghazanfer from PML (N), Mr. Izhar Hunzai from PTI and Mr. Baba Jan from Labour Party.

When we look on the performance of our past representatives from GBLA-6 Hunza, they themselves accept that they have been totally wasted their four years in the government byusing public offices for personal gains. This rampant corruption marred uplift projects in GB. Therefore, any an insane person or a corrupt Jiala will support PPP and its candidate from GBLA-6.

Same is the case with PMLN and its candidate Mir Ghazanfer Ali Khan. Out of last 40 years, Mir Ghazanfer remained in helm of affairs for 25 years. But unfortunately, he hasn’t done anything tangible which could give him an edge over other contestants from GBLA-6 Hunza. He does have power and good contacts along with the brand name of “Mir of Hunza” which have never ever been used for the benefit of the people of GB in general and Hunza in particular. A large number of highly educated people in general and youth in particulate from Hunza are roaming here and there in search of decent jobs but he didn’t provided even a single decent job or any kind of scholarship to anyone of our highly educated youth from Hunza. Similarly, he has never ever raised his voice for an additional seat in GBLA just to maintain his dominance in the political arena of Hunza; thus, deprived Hunza from a major chunk of potential share from the divisible pool of developmental funds in GB Government. During his tenure the Lower and Upper part of Hunza remained neglected and he only concentrated on the development of Karimabad Hunza – his hometown.

Out of aforementioned contestant Mr. Baba Jan is the best candidate because he is the one who have always been standing up with all the people of Hunza for their rights whether it is the matter of Attaabad IDPs and their miseries, brutal killing of Sherullah Baig and his son Sher Afzal during CM Mehdi Shah’s Visit to Hunza or floor crisis or protection of human rights and constitutional rights. He took stand on all principle matters for the protection of our rights but unfortunately our own representatives in GBLA labeled him “anti – state element” and play their role in sending him along with a number of other innocent youth from Hunza behind the bars.

Since a new and fast pace development is taking place in our region on account of game-changing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and evolving geopolitical scenario in our backyard. In this backdrop we needed someone who is highly educated, experienced and competent enough to make SMART programmes to address our local issues locally and well-represent Hunza at policy making forums to protect and promote our goals in the Great Game between China and West. In this regard, the forthcoming five years are very much crucial. Therefore, my conditional vote and support goes to comparatively less experienced but very competent Izhar Hunzai from GBLA-6 Hunza.

Now when it’s another chance to make our future generation proud of us, I urge our proud Hunzukutz to think wisely and think of the future and also have a look on past performance of our elected representatives and their parties. I am sure and confident that we opt for a future where every health unit is functional, every school and college is providing quality education; where every graduate gets job on merit, where every man and woman is respected because of just being humans, where we are not only strategically well placed but also are quoted for intellectual, moral and professional excellence, where the world looks at Hunza as a role model; we can make it happen and it’s in our hand!

Be the drivers of a better future and be proud of your conscious decision.

Hunza we will make you rise and shine, always!

[i] The writer is a freelance Columnist. He is interested in youth-centric issues, international development and political economy. He can be reached on his Blog or Facebook