Gilgit Baltistan has the ability to calm the chatter that was going on in your thoughts. You come exhausted and perhaps even guarded, and then the mountains do what they usually do, which is to cause you to feel humbled. The air seems to be thinner, the sky seems to be closer, and the rivers have a sound that is reminiscent of something that has been going on for generations. When it comes to this location, people from all over the globe are familiar with its stunning scenery; yet, those views represent just part of the tale. One half of the population resides in the streets and villages of the area, in the manner in which a visitor is greeted as if they were a guest, and in the tranquil pride that people hold about their homes. It is not enough to just travel through Gilgit Baltistan in order to take pictures there. Despite the fact that it is a thriving civilization with educated young, strong traditions, and a culture of hospitality, it continues to surprise tourists who anticipate harshness from the difficult terrain.
This is not a show when it comes to hospitality. It is now a routine. In the form of a cup of tea served without inquiry, instructions given with care, and a seat prepared for you even when there is a limited amount of room, it manifests itself in subtle and consistent ways. It is also evident in the manner in which communities deal with differences. Even though this area is rich in linguistic diversity, religious sects, and cultural practices, the majority of families have realized that everyday calm is not a luxury. One must have it. As a result of neighbors looking out for one another, you are able to live when winter shuts roads and a storm cuts off a valley.
A life like that teaches a straightforward truth: you should always put the safety of your own people first. To demonstrate that you are harmed by smoke, you do not set fire to the home
This is the reason why the latest cries for fury, destruction, and spectacle seem so excruciating because they are completely unneeded. Grief is authentic. In addition, anger may be a genuine emotion. When people’s lives are taken, and families are devastated, there are no words that can take away the pain. However, starting a fire on our own property is not the solution. Violence and destruction only cause pain, and then they bring greater sadness to those who are affected by them. The dead are not brought back to life by them. They do not cure those who have been hurt. They do not restore the shortcomings that were the source of the suffering. They simply result in the addition of new victims, shops that lose their money, students who lose their lessons, workers who lose their daily earnings, and communities that lose their feeling of safety.
However, there are many who contend that fire compels attention. It may be effective in attracting attention, but it also distorts the message. When local or national institutions are assaulted, the attention turns from the initial sadness to the fresh harm that has been caused on such institutions. The discussion shifts away from the injustice or tragedy that triggered the passion and instead focuses on the smashed windows, burning workplaces, and law and order incidents that have occurred. One consequence of this transition is that the martyrs are relegated to the background. The act of setting fire to establishments does not show respect for the martyrs. It does damage to the same communities that we claim we are defending.
An instant of collective grieving is transformed into a vicious cycle of blame, terror, and crackdowns that may last for years at a time
On the other hand, peaceful expression is not a sign of weakness for anybody. Self-control is the key. It is a matter of decency. Indeed, it is a constitutionally protected right. Demanding answers, seeking justice, and speaking out against wrongdoing are all rights that people have the right to exercise. It is possible to express sadness in a manner that does not contaminate the future via activities like as sit-ins, demonstrations, community meetings, petitions, and open discussions. When demonstrations are held in a peaceful manner, they encourage a greater number of individuals to participate. These individuals include senior citizens, women, students, and workers who are not willing to engage in disorder but will instead speak up for a fair cause. Peace maintains the integrity of the moral core. Following the blurring of the lines by violence, opportunists rush in.
Opportunists is an important term to remember. One may find provocateurs in any protest movement. These individuals do not care about the people or the area they are protesting. They have a concern about ambiguity. One of their goals is to cause a crowd to lose control so that they may channel its rage into devastation. In spite of the fact that they may arrive with slogans that seem courageous, their purpose is often cowardly, which is to manipulate local suffering for their own agenda. After a sufficient amount of time has passed, Gilgit Baltistan has gained the knowledge that once violence begins, it seldom remains contained. It spreads, it makes people colder-hearted, and it attracts meddling from outside sources.
When you reject provocateurs, you are not dismissing your feelings of loss. Refusing to give up your sorrow to someone who will eventually sell it is the key to success
Another aspect to take into consideration is the larger context. A sensitive regional environment is present in Gilgit Baltistan, which is located in close proximity to borders, roads, and strategic interests that attract attention from a great distance beyond its valleys. The phrases “restraint” and “vigilance” are not meaningless in a setting like this one. It is a kind of protection. When dissatisfaction rises, it is possible for those who seek to destabilize Pakistan or harm the region’s image to misjudge it, exploit it, or even intentionally inflame it. People who live in close proximity to boundaries do not consider national security to be an abstract concept. It is connected to transportation, commerce, tourism, and the average calmness of life. It is also important to defend the stability of Gilgit Baltistan in order to preserve its tranquil beauty. This is because stability is what enables schools to function, marketplaces to breathe, and tourists to come with respect.
When the people of Pakistan are in mourning, it is the responsibility of the government to listen to them and to take action when the people demand justice. In addition to this, it is obligated to participate in the grief and depression of families who have suffered the loss of loved ones. On the other hand, public accountability must also be matched with compassion from the government. The federation is strengthened by unity, and democracy is strengthened by those who uphold the law. Not a single person is intended to be silenced by these slogans. The fact that rights and obligations go hand in hand is brought home by these reminders. The decision to engage in discourse allows individuals to maintain the possibility of transformation.
When individuals choose disorder, they often find themselves confined in a chamber where only force can say what they want to say
Fires in the streets of Gilgit Baltistan are not acceptable; the region deserves better. It is deserving of a politics that is equal to its character, one that is proud, smart, and focused on the future. The educated young of our country are able to lead with ideas rather than fury. Its diverse culture has the potential to teach patience rather than vengeance. Not only can it extend its hospitality to visitors, but it can also extend to one another, even in times of extraordinary suffering. Demonstrate sincere sorrow. Put pressure on accountability. Fight for the rights you have. Continue to do so in a calm and dignified manner. Gilgit Baltistan should continue to be associated with peace, tolerance, and open hearts from the rest of the world; it should not be associated with smoke billowing from locations that ought to have been safeguarded.
