Rehabilitation Planning Data - Comments & Views

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From: hisamullah7@msn.com
To: sultan@allana.ca
CC: ihunzai@gmail.com; rupani@lowcostleader.com
Subject: Ferry Company in Hunza Ataabad Lake
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:22:07 +0600

My dear Sultan,

I am sending this communication after a very long silence. You are aware that in Jan of this year a massive landslide in Hunza had devastated the life of a number of households. At one stage it dominated the news channels in Pakistan. 70 percent of the affected have been accommodated by friends and relatives while 30% are still living in tented camps established by agencies such as FOCUS. A lot of real help and also promises have come forth from lot of quarters but I have yet to see a definite plan for rehabilitation and reconstructing their lives. In this situation I had conceived and shared a proposal for progressive rehabilitation of the affected. I have appended the copy of this proposal. You would notice that the immediate feasible step in this proposal talks of ferry Service Company. This option, I perceive, provides following attractive possibilities:

Ø First and foremost it starts giving an immediate income to the affected and thereby turning 'despondency' to "HOPE" in their future.

Ø Second: It has an eminent growth possibility towards introducing even hovercraft as the income grows; this further eliminating the need to build alternate KKH (an intergovernmental Project with enormous costs)

Now coming to the purpose of this communication: I have been able to elicit a pledge of 10,000 US $ towards jumpstarting such a project through the LSO that I hope AKRSP will form. The inquiries for suitable boats from China indicate that this money is not sufficient to buy and transport even a single 20-seater boat. I am therefore seeking your intervention in looking at the possibility of a loan (or preferably joint Investment either by HBL or AKFED to this LSO on the basis of profit sharing - 51% for disaster affected and 49 % for investors)

Apart from the summary on rehabilitation proposal, I have also attached copies of various documents shared with government of GB and NDMA so that you can see the total picture.

With best wishes

Hisamullah Beg SI(M)

Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:47:34 +0500
Subject: Re: Ferry Company in Hunza Ataabad Lake
From: sultan@allana.ca
To: hisamullah7@msn.com

Dear brig sahib

Trust you and your family are well. It is refreshing to see that you are actively working on trying to find solutions to the grim situation and I welcome your proactive approach.

I am travelling at the moment and expect to be back in a week. Meanwhile If you allow me I will share your proposal with akrsp and solicit their interest. As a bank, we are willing to review a proposal, if it's viable, especially if the aim of the proposal is to develop and or contribute towards development. However, we cannot take the lead in the sense that we cannot be a sponsor - but as a bank we are certainly willing to look at it .

While I send this email to akrsp, may I suggest that you also contact > them to see if they will be willing to sponsor such a proposal or > perhaps see if there is a business group or a group of individuals in the northern area who are willing to form a company which undertakes this project - the funds you have been able to put together may be used as seed capital - this way, a commercial bank can be approached for funding support.

Please give my regards to your family,

With best wishes

Sultan Allana

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, Hisamullah Beg hisamullah7@msn.com wrote:

Thank you for a prompt reply. I have already shared this proposal with AKRSP. I am sure they will respond soon. The ultimate point is the energy potential. Government of GB has referred this proposal to the DC in HUNZA IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO GET A GRASS ROOT FEED BACK.

From: Hisamullah Beg [mailto:hisamullah7@msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 2:18 PM
To: Huzur Mukhi Iqbal Sadru-Dean, Walji; Ali Rattansey
Cc: Izhar Ali Hunzai; coakesp@hotmail.com; mutabiat@yahoo.co.uk; melad@akrsp.org.pk; Jalal; Sulan Allana; Muzaffarudin

Subject: Ferry Company for the Rehabilitation of Disaster Affected People

My Dear Huzur Mukhi Iqbal Walji President ICP/Aitimadi Ali Ratansy Chairman AKRSP,

I have appended the email exchanges with Huzur Mukhi Sultan Ali Allana (SI) with the hope that you will take a timely policy decision and advise GM AKRSP and other concerned.

I will eagerly be waiting for your response,

With Regards,

Brig Hisamullah Beg (SI)
Karimabad, Hunza,
Gilgit Baltistan

From: izhar.hunzai@akrsp.org.pk
To: hisamullah7@msn.com
Subject: RE: Ferry Company for the Rehabilitation of Disaster Affected People
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 14:40:36 +0500

Thank you Brigadier sb,

What is the progress on Gazette notification?

Warm regards

izhar

To: izhar.hunzai@akrsp.org.pk
From:hisamullah7@msn.com

The last I checked, CM had sent it to DC Hunza. I have requested Mr. Wazir Beg (Speaker and acting Governor) to follow up.

Ali Gohar Says:

Dear Brig Sb.

Thank you very much for sharing the proposal. It seems more or less the lake is permanent now. I will not talk, who will invest, how the business would be done but my focus is only ferry service.

On my recent trip to Turkey we crossed Marmara Sea along with our bus. This ferry had the capacity of around 20 cars and 05 buses which is so huge in case of Attaabad Lake. An option of few ferries with a capacity of 05 to 06 cars/wagons would be good option for the local passengers as well as national/international tourists. Since, it will give an opportunity of uninterrupted travel as well as feeling and experience of something unique. This option will equally be helpful from business point of view giving the local transport the option of running shuttle service from Sost Dry Port to Point B all thorough the lake. Of course the affect’s LSO and local community should be holding the right of this business.

Apart from it there could be many options of water sport activities, like kayaking, sailing, fishing, boating etc. All these activities could be helpful generating income for the affectees/local community even could be helpful promoting tourism in the entire region.

With best regards,

Ali Gohar Hunzai
System Program Manager
Beaconhouse Outdoor Education Programme
Regional Office North, Banigala,
Islamabad-PakistanDate: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 15:55:52 +0000

PRINCE ABBAS SAYS:

Dear Brig Hissam,

I had the pleasure of going through your correspondence with different personalities and appreciate the pains that you have taken in the attempts to ameliorate the sufferings of our people.

I can only pray that the powers that be will give a serious thought to your proposals in the greater public interest. Unfortunately, I am not too optimistic about the response. Needless to add here that we stand fragmented and the new generation of Karachi returned pseudo intellectuals consider us history. I look forward to sharing my impressions once I reach Hunza after the road blocks are cleared. Meanwhile, I also hear that they plan to reduce the lakes height considerably in the range of 100 ft plus.

With Regards,

Ali Gohar says:

Dear Brig sb, 

 Let us thank you for pulling the ship of turmoil towards the safe bay. The valuable input of the youth, professionals, politicians, activists shows that we are able to handle our issues amicably. The only thing, which I suggest is; we need to achieve something swiftly and locally first. We should try to avoid playing on a large canvas. Do something phenomenal that puts us on the map not forgetting our local knowledge, wisdom, the good practices of caring for each other which steered Hunza harmoniously over centuries. The scientific approach, facilities,knowledge should work as tools to present our issues within our community and other forums. 

Fayyaz Dewan said:

Dear Brig. Sahib,

It seems that our intellectuals or seniors know all the problems that our people are facing, they can write nicely drafted articles and communicate through emails, but they do not have time to do something practical, they have commitment with their jobs or business etc. I have gone through some of the emails in replied to you. there are suggestions but no one has been volunteered to come forward to do something for the disaster affected people of Ataabad and upper Hunza (Gojal).

The disaster convention which was held in Gulmit on July 13, 2010 organized by the Rabita Committee for the affected people of the disaster, this convention was attended by leaders and a large number of people from upper Hunza. I was there in Gulmit and invited by the organizers. I was one of the speakers of the Convention; it looks like the Government of GB is not cooperating with the affected people to solve their problems. The compensations announced are still a dream for the people to receive. I suggested the following points and shared it with the participants. These suggestions were made part of the agenda for submission to the Government of GB and to other concerned departments

1. immediate release of the water of the lake
2. regular services of Helicopters and boats to facilitate the affected population of upper Hunza
3. operate large rafts to transport loaded trucks from the spillway to upper Hunza
4. efforts to construct a road to connect Central Hunza with Upper Hunza
5. immediate settlement of the IDPI’S with honor and dignity
6. Proper compensation of the Houses, Shops, Land and trees. The compensation announced by the government is RS 400,000.00 for the houses and RS 200,000.00 for the land is peanut, the amount of the compensation may be increased accordingly (Houses RS 1,000,000.00, Land RS 100,000.00 Per Kanal, Trees RS. 5000.00 Per Tree and RS 200,000.00 Per Shop)
7. immediate construction of link road to connect Gulmit with Hussaini via Kamaris and Ghulkin
8. waiver of the fees of the students of upper Hunza and Ataabad study in public and private institutions all over the country for three years
9. regular supply of fuel for house hold use and vehicles on subsidized rate to reduce the transportation cost which is very high
10. provision of relief to the people till the construction of the road between Central and Upper Hunza
11. restart work on the Misgar Electric Power Plant and other possible projects to reduce regular load shading of Electricity in the area
12. waiver of all type of utility bills for three years
13. establish utility stores in the main towns of the area and provide all the essentials on a subsidized rate
14. the government should work on tourism promotion to provide business opportunity to the people of GB, because the business in GB is badly affected due to the Ataabad Disaster
15. provision of Jobs to the educated people (Male and Female) in the Pak Army, Police and other departments of the Government as a special case
16. Permission for Custom Free Trade on the Pak – China route for the local traders
17. withdrawal of the FIR registered against the peaceful demonstrators declaring them as anti Pakistan elements (Note: our people are the most peaceful and loyal citizens of Pakistan, our Jawans proved to be the real defenders of the country being serving in the Pak Army)
18. the Government should allow UN, National and International NGO’S to help the affected people

I would suggest a conference may be arranged in Islamabad, a committee may be formed of committed people to coordinate with the Government, NDMA in Islamabad and with our people in GB, my services are available if it is required

With best regards
Fayyaz Ahmed Dewan
0321-5757887, 0345-5116488

My Comments:

I am grateful for your feedback. I am now in Gilgit attempting to get the signature of the CM on a draft Gazette notification (copy attached for your information) as the most essential step towards rehabilitation. I have already shared the subsequent steps with local council Gulmit and all concerned. I HAD REQUESTED AMIN BEG TO SHARE IT WITH THE PARTICIPANTS OF THIS CONVENTION as potent proposals. You must have noticed the flotilla of boats owned and operated by all except Hunzukutz. We need to think rationally. A big 50-ton tug capable of carrying two loaded trucks at a time will soon be in place as promised by Chief of Army Staff during his visit to upper Hunza. At a later date I am attempting to get it transferred to LSO.

Dr Salman Ali says:

We need to think with a cool mind to formulate a reasonably rational response to this disaster.Emotional outbursts won't work!!

My request:

Kindly share the rational outline plan. I have already shared this one with the CM GB which can be modified in the light of your inputs.

Ikram baig Says:

You Admire each other without being practical thats very good' I give you hundred number put of hundred Mamoo.

IKRAM BEG

My request to Ikram:

I am in the process of consolidating all attempts (both theoretical and also practical) taken by a Hunzukutz. I will appreciate if you can apprise of the attempts that you have undertaken? POSSIBLY YOU MAY HAVE MONITORED AND KEPT A RECORD OF THE RESOURCES COMMITTED BY DIFFERENT ENTITIES FOR THE REHABILITATION?

Ahmed Jami Sakhi says:

Respectable Brig. Hisamullah!

I hope this message finds you in good health and a happy mood. I have been reading the interesting comments and discussions among the stakeholders and your Blog readers on the IDP issues in Hunza-Gojal valleys! We appreciate your individual efforts and thoughts for those souls who have been displaced due to the natural disaster of unprecedented land sliding at Attaabad. All physical losses resulting from this huge disaster will take some time to heal up the wounds of the directly or indirectly affected citizens. But the moral, Psychological and material support provided by different government, and non-governmental agencies like FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, Pakistan; Red crescent Society GB; NDMA (GB & Islamabad); Pak Army; Local administration and scores of other NGOs is exemplary in many ways. We pay our gratitude and solute to all those who contributed in any way to minimizing the troubles of the affected population. 

However, keeping the people in camps forever is not the long-term solution sir! All these agencies should now start prepare their plans for the rehabilitation of the IDPs. The people from Ayeenabad up to Gulmit might like being rehabilitated somewhere within the boundaries of Tehsil Gojal, whereas, the affectees of Attaabad might like re-settlement somewhere around Gilgit town, because of the already existing huge number of Hunzukutz in sub-division Gilgit.

As a retired Army personnel, Retired Jamati Leader and the past family traditions of rendering great services to the Ismaili community and as an active Civil Society leader, the people of Gojal and Hunza are looking towards your benign leadership to guide and help the community and the institutions ( professional as well as communal) in the rehabilitation process of the directly affected people of Attaabad, Ayeenabad, Shishkat, & Goz Gulmit.

I hope, the institutions will welcome your views and will take you on board while preparing their policies and plans for the rehabilitation and other issues related to the affected population of Hunza-Gojal valleys.

May Almighty Allah and MHI give you the courage and wisdom to make right decisions and right actions at the right time! Amien! 

Ahmed Jami Sakhi
Academic Admin Officer
PDCN, University Road
Konodass, Gilgit Pakistan.
Phone: +92-05811-454132-4
Fax: +92-05811-54135
Cell No: +92 3425195771
Email: jami@pdcn.edu.pk
Ahmedjami_sakhi@yahoo.com

Jalal-ud-Din said:

Major Sahabs thorough inside of the ground realities and suggestions are really thought provoking. Why our political leadership is not taking our notables and intellectuals on board to address this issue?????

Jalal-ud-Din
Cell# +92-346-5208004

My Comments

Thanks to Darjat, I had the chance to participate in a workshop (Jul 12 Jul 13) on “Gilgit –Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order Challenges and opportunities”; Arranged jointly by Gilgit-Baltistan Policy Institute Gilgit, Centre for civic education Pakistan and Forum of Federation Canada for the training of our elected representatives, with following topics for discussion:

· Understanding Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and self Governance order 2009
· How to be an effective legislator
· Realizing democratic governance: challenges and opportunitities.

Apart from the representatives from Hunza, most of the present and former legislators as well as the CM GB were also participating. It was amply made clear that the views of civil society need to be integrated in the functioning of the new system. There I had the occasion to exchange the views where the CM acknowledged having received my view point and as such I am optimistic that this training workshop has an apparent impact thus in future the civil society views may be taken on board. 

Maj Zafar Jhang says:

My Dear Brig Sahib,

Hunzukuz must appreciate your timely action with regards to helping the IDPs. Traditionally your family always remain in front for rehabilitation of effecties of Shimshal and Barang catastrophes (1837to1960). Hunzukus were considered resilient communities and they never stayed in camps and asked for piece of bread. They helped each other and developed new lands , villages ,settlements with dedication and hard work. When there was no barren land left in Hunza they moved towards south, developed Rahimabad, Sultanabad, Oshikhandass, Aminabad, Sadrudinabad, eleven settlements surrounding Gilgit city and lands in Ghizer.

As you always advise that we should refrain to lease out our land to outsiders, who will grab your landed properties and subsequently your grand children will become their tenets.

When TKN volunteers visited IDP camps and meet the leadership, our humble submission was that they must pressurize the Government for barren lands and under the GB Nurtud, rules the Government may acquire the land for any purpose, and subsequently AKDN may jointly given task for rehabilitation on MERP footings. We indicated barren lands "Khalsa Sarkar" Maqpoondass on Sakardu Road, Hossi Dass, Jutal Dass. But we were surprise to know the attitude of leadership and IDPS, they were infavour of a piece of bread and money. Whenever we visited IDP camps we saw children asking for money, encouraging Jahdi Groups and even band organizations visiting IDP camps to manipulate their agenda. We were astonished to know that some of the IDPs were even ready to hand over their children to different NGOs for their education. Political parties also took the advantage of internal differences of Hunzuks. Punjab Government announced millions for rehabilitation of Attaabad effecties, when Punjabies were poisoning their families due to hunger.

My humble submission are :-

Strenght our efforts to get the barren land for rehabilitation.(Our inquiry reveals that more then sixty IDP families are having their landed property in Danyore, Muhammad Abad (Diding) sultanabad and in Gilgit). 

Sincere efforts by AKDN for conversion of Disaster into Development.
First Hunzukus then our party manifesto.
Segregation of non-effecties from IDP camps, relinquish IDP camps.
Requirement of NC full efforts and dedication not Hali and lip service.

Regards,

Zafar

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Rehabilitation Planning Data

Amin Beg said:

Brig sb, thank u for sharing this. Isn't it a pity that Hunza is going through the worst disaster of its history in 200 hundred years, and we have just started talking after 6 months. Some called a labour pain, which hunzukutz will undergo for another 3 months, before they give birth to new wonders.... opportunity for the opportunists!  let me take the last point first:  Regarding the hydro potential, while we should always look for such opportunities, it is important to note that such projects should NOT be at the COST of the local people. Already the government has refused to provide 'compensation' for the full losses/damages, and they have announced, 'a relief package', which still needs to be delivered, and the affected people termed it 'peanut'.  If any such project is looked into, then Hunza Electric Supply Company should be formed the affected villages should have 50% share in the profit, 20% to be provided to Hunza as profit, and the rest may be shared between GB government and federal government.  Alternatively, all the affected people should then to given full (100%) compensation for the losses, and resettled in new place.  Data descripancies:  There will always be discrepancies in such cases, as you know how the data is collected through revenue department (tehsil and patwari), PWD by the government at local levels. Sometimes figures are not accurate for many reasons;  Then politicians and local political activists have a say in giving numbers, as happens everywhere in the country for reasons u know better.  The FOCUS data also comes from the community volunteers and their field staff plus may be cross checked with local councils.  On the technical side, there are issues with definitions, like households, houses, families etc. For example the community in Gulmit would say, thus far 65 houses were submerged, and over 85 families are IDPs (given that in one house there were 2-3 families; brothers, married sons, etc.) living together. Now that they live in camps, or with host families or if they need, pre-fab shelters etc. the need is not for 65 but 85, just to give an example, because of the size of these temporary shelters, but also, that the joint family has lost the family home and land surrounding it, which normally would cater for extension of new rooms or a new house attached. Secondly, in many instance, old houses which were not occupied at the time of disaster, were not counted by some, and counted by others. For these reasons, the numbers normally fluctuate. but for planning purposes and resource allocation, we have to go for a figure that too on the higher side. As the current figure is 381, and the dismantling of houses continues in shishkat and Gulmit, we may say 500 houses/families for planning purposes. Regards Amin Beg July 5, 2010, 12:27 AM

MY views:

Thanks for the feed back. Very thoughtful of you. Please reconsider your views in the light of following:

Disaster and response:

It is perhaps just my self in entire Hunza who has given his land to some of the affected families in Gharayat (ATAABAD) as an immediate response, for their help till the time they are rehabilitated (You may like to contact Local council Baltit and Altit to get the details) Click: AGREEMENT WITH COUNCIL.

For attempts since the disaster, please see following also:

http://hisamullahbeg.blogspot.com/2010/03/private-report-on-mitigation-efforts.html

(Shared in the month of March with all concerned)

Rehabilitation:

http://hisamullahbeg.blogspot.com/2010/04/year-1901-judgements-on-border-disputes.html

(read para-d)

For the attitude in communicating feeling see:

GIST OF SPEECH

Darjat only: Please recall my mail towards street action and intellectual approach.

For energy and analysis of Energy needs see:

ADVOCACY FOR ENERGY

With best wishes

FI and possible contribution from all readers.

Amin Beg says:

Brig sb, my reference was to the 'thinking people' of Hunza, some of them copied in your mail. It was not individual or group efforts, which you and others are doing from day one, which is well appreciated.

Moving forward, why can't we all copied in your mail, and other professionals, researchers, academic, and politicians of Hunza meet, in a kind of an All Parties Conference, whether in Islamabad or Gilgit or Hunza, and come up with a joint resolution on the future. At least all parties (civil society, private sector, elected reps, political parties, academia) need to agree on a minimum agenda vis-a-vis:

 1. Rehabilitation of the affected people

2. Revival of the economy of Hunza (energy, trade, tourism and agriculture)

3. New Hunza-Nagar district and issues of meritocracy, transparency and accountability in appointments, postings, transfers, contracts and resource allocation.

What is stopping the people?

Why we only look towards the government or elected people to do the thinking, set the agenda and implement it?

As an educated society, the people should be setting the agenda, and your this email group and others like the HDF should serve as think tanks and advocacy group, doing practical activisim on ground.

Count on the resourcefulness of the youth. Remember the demographic transition in Hunza and GB. Over 70% of the population is below 25 years of age, over 50% are women.

We need to be concerned for them and their current and future needs.

Regards

Amin

My Views on discrepancies in the data:

I am more impressed with the terms that my guide uses i.e. 'honest mathematics' in evaluating an issue towards the solutions that you are seeking.

Commodore Ishaq PN says:

Dear and respected Sir,

First of all my sincere regards and respects as i have been off the waves for a long time!!!!!I hope all on your end is healthy, prosperous and well...Though unintentional but my absence mainly remained prevailing due extreme commitments in office and otherwise.....Nevertheless, i did have other means open, to keep myself abreast with ongoing issues related to Hunza and its proud people.

Fortunately, i got an opportunity to visit Hunza late May 2010 and see for myself as first hand, what all has happend in and around Attaabad.....My heart goes out for our people who lost life, property and livelihood; our kith and kin suffering at such a large magnitude.

Pakistan navy, keeping her high traditions of sharing the pain of our countrymen during crisis situations , made a humble gesture by sending a SSG(N) SEALs group and Medical Contingent consisting of highly professional deep sea divers, Commandos and doctors including surgeons to Gilgit and Hunza.....I was given the privilage by CNS to become the Contingent Commander for the entire duration..........We did whatever we could to share the difficulties of the suffering population in 20 days of our stay howevere, this was just like a single drop of hope in an ocean of sufferings....Within 5 days of my return to Karachi, Chief of Naval Staff very kindly again asked me to visit Hunza with 5 trucks of relief goods/items and hand over the same to effectees of Attaabad in particular......Although done under unwarranted circumstances, my these two assignments between 30 May 2010 and 25 June 2010 at Hunza were the proudest, most revered and extremely satisfying undertakings those i have been blessed with in performance of my duties in Pakistan Navy.....Apart from the material help and medical assistance that we were able to offer, our expert analysis of blasting the so called spillway at the blockade probably become the notable contribution as NDMA and FWO even refused to think about using explosives on the site...........However, Chairman NDMA, CS GB, FCNA CDR and UN Expert through our repeated emphasis on blasting the lake blockade, finally got covinced to explode the fringes; a process if undertaken around January 2010 would have hardly effected any populated area upstream except accumulation of water to a maximum depth of 40-50 ft.......I am convinced that lot of wrong has been done by lot of people including GB govt, FWO, NDMA and public representatives, least to say the populace who it appears have lost the resilience their proud forefathers bore as a strength.

Sir, in my humble way, i do try to keep helping the effectees in some ways and other from time to time through friends and acquaintances, however, this all is never the solution...........I think it is high time that our people need to wake up and wake up for the good......The NGOs, greater than absorbable politics, too many as well as contrasting institutions, ill timed and unwarranting modernity, low quality education founded on weak footings etc, cumulatively have stolen the major strength of our people as well as society; the resilience, which made our noble elders so different than all those who lived near and far..........Resilience in their character and actions surely made them so noble and differentiating from others !!!!!!!!!!!May we rediscover this strength of our elders in our actions and character; this to me remains the biggest challenge confronting our people not the crises or disasters like the ongoing one upstream and the looming one downstream!!!!!!!!!!!!

God be with you and May He help you to convince people to forge unity and brotherhood that so commonly prevailed some decades ago in our lands of dreams and peace. aameen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With sincere regards and prayers

Brotherly,

Dear and Respected Sir,

AoA

Thank you for a prompt rather a very prompt reply.........As for my understanding of our society, I feel that each elder of ours has contributed in his own humble way in overall grooming of evolving generations and at this juncture of our history, every wise and sane person who lives around us must contribute like the earlier ones. I feel this is more important today because, our values come from sanity and wisdom instead the text books.

With regard to your query about putting my last write up on the blog; sir it would be a pleasure to find such a place.

With sincere regards and salam

Sincerely yours

Commodore Ishaq
Karachi

Posted by Hisamullah Beg SI(M) at 12:34 PM

Dear Brg. Hisam Saheb,

You have in fact maintained the lovely tradition of your family. We appreciate the historical contribution of your family towards the people of GB in general and to the people of Hunza and Gilgit in particular.

By a copy of this email, I wish all the Ismaili brothers and sisters a Holy Imamat Day Mubarak. Spending my Imamat Day Celebrations with our brothers and sisters in the IDP Camps of Hunza and Nagar on 10 and 11 July 2010 was a heart-touching and a source of comfort to me.

With warmest regards and Salgirah Mubarak,

Mehmood Hunzai
(UN)