GHANCHE – A resident of Gilgit-Baltistan was rebuked by one of the top officials after he highlighted lack of a gynaecologist in his area.
A short video clip surfaced on social media in which the Chief Secretary of the GB can be seen reprimanding a man while talking to protesters in Ghanche district.
The official started taunting the citizen about taxes when the man demanded a gynaecologist for the people of the area. The chief secretary, in a rude way, asked him how much tax does he pay, adding: “Pakistan is spending Rs100billion on Gilgit-Baltistan”.
Social Media Backlash
The video clipped triggered an online debate over the benefits received by Pakistan from this area. Social media commenters lashed out at the official and launched a campaign to remove him from his post.
https://www.facebook.com/GBAwareness/videos/226424151497714/
A native of GB, who is studying in China, also shared a video on Facebook and expressed his annoyance over the behaviour of the official, highlighting the significance of the area in return of funds.
He highlighted how the rich water resources and glaciers of the area are helpful in battling the looming water crisis in the country.
“$46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is passing through the Gilgit-Baltistan, which shares the border with China,” he said, adding that Pakistan was generating revenue through tourism in the northmost area, which has the second highest peak in the country.
https://www.facebook.com/shehzadmughal1214/videos/254894778421197/?hc_location=ufi
He recalled the sacrifices offered by the local people in Kargil war and other wars fought by Pakistan in the past against India.
Clarification
Gilgit-Baltistan Information Department, in a Facebook post, has said that the controversial remarks of the Chief Secretary are being presented out of context, by “selectively sharing parts of a video.”
The information department has dispelled the notion that the official wanted to degrade the person.
The post, which has been published by Pamir Times, said that the same person used anti-state remarks against Pakistan before the official lost his temper.
“Some elements are trying to start a propaganda based on the ‘edited video’, the Information Department’s unnamed official posted.
