KNP will help brothers in Gilgit Baltistan, Dr Shabir Choudhry

KNP will help brothers in Gilgit Baltistan, Dr Shabir Choudhry
London 16 May 2010

People of Gilgit Baltistan and especially people of Hunza are in great difficulty because of an artificial lake which emerged because of a landslide and blockage of river Hunza.

The lake is now more than 300 feet deep and more than 21 miles long, and posing a great threat to lives of many villages. People have serious problems with supply of food and other necessary items as scores of people were forced to abandon their homes and seek shelter.

The response of authorities, as always, was too little and too late. So far more than 23 people have lost their lives and many more are likely to lose their lives due to conditions and shortage of food, medicine and shelter.

In this regard government of China offered to help to remove the debris and clear the way to avoid problems, but authorities did not accept this offer. And tragedy is that the authorities did not do anything themselves until the danger was too great and out of control. They only panicked when experts said that it could threaten Tarbela dam and other important installations.

What little has been done by authorities is to ensure that the lake, if it bursts does not pose any threat to Tarbela Dam and other important Pakistani interests. What this means is that people of the area are still at great risk and many could lose their lives.

In order to help our brothers in need, a Committee has been set up in Muzaffarabad, a Pakistani Administered Kashmir to help and coordinate relief activities. The committee consist of leaders of KNP, UKPNP and NSF.

Dr Shabir Choudhry, while speaking to the Committee members urged them to collect funds and other essential items and personally go there in a form of a caravan to help our brothers and show solidarity with them.

In this regard the KNP members in the UK and elsewhere will play an active role; and support our brothers in desperate need of help. END