A Litmus Test for Skardu’s moment of truth: From Protest to Reconstruction – By Abdul Aly Gilgit

A Litmus Test for Skardu’s moment of truth: From Protest to Reconstruction – By Abdul Aly Gilgit

Scrolling social media, I listened to the President of Anjuman-e-Imamia Tehreek Baltistan,-Aga Syed Baqir Al-Hussaini, addressing the congregation on the last Friday of Ramadan (Jumma-tul-Wida). He stated that the protest on 1 March 2026, which had begun peacefully, turned violent, after which some miscreants took advantage of the situation, resulting in firing, deaths, and the burning of several properties, including vehicles and building of AKRSP.

A similar unpleasant incident linked with militancy, occurred in December 2004, when gunmen attacked Aga Khan Health Services, Chitral, killing two staff members and destroying vehicles and office property. Unless practical financial, intellectual, and material support is committed to such ventures, condemnation from the pulpit by Anjuman-e-Imamia Tehreek Skardu, Baltistan remains nothing but hollow words. It was even more surprising that the prominent religious figure of the Merkez couldn’t recall name of the foundation’s head he intended to address. Protection, precaution, and prevention are stronger when the all stakeholders are involved.

To my weak memory since1980s, Gilgit-Baltistan has been a religious melting pot. Even today, I am skeptical about the recent trending traditions of symbolic condolence visits of religious figures across different schools of thought. The martyrdom of the supreme spiritual leader of Shi’a Muslim, Syed Khamenei, naturally provoked fury, as it resonated with and recalled the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) at Karbala, who stood steadfast against the tyranny of Yazid ibn Muawiya.

It is no denying that many don’t support Republican Party’s decision under Trump to wage Israel’s war, without opposition congressional approval. US through a carrot-and-stick approach is acting world’s police, exerts influence over other countries where lies its long-term strategic or economic interests. Israel’s war with Iran, the expansionist objectives of the US and Israel have converged, resulting in the death of Iran’s defiant supreme leader and widespread destruction across parts of Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen. Such unjust and ruthless attacks on sovereign countries deeply wound the conscience of any thoughtful and conscientious individual.

Iran’s survival as a state—largely populated by Twelver Shi’ites—is at stake amid accusations of pursuing nuclear enrichment against Israel. Israel-religiously a Jewish state, is obdurate pursuing territorial seizure of Arab lands. In this context, Iran claims to be paying a heavy price for supporting the Palestinian cause, standing alongside the weak for fair justice. Surprisingly, Trump is also framing the conflict through religious lens, invoking biblical prophecy! The ongoing conflict thus reflects a troubling paradoxical mix rivalry of geopolitical dominance, religious claims, and struggles for power and resources.

Not too late to make mend, the Center’s office issued a letter to the organization’s head, Prince Rahim Aga Khan-V, expressing regret over the damage caused by a few miscreants during a peaceful protest but which later turned violent. Gilgit-Baltistan was at the forefront protesting over the death of Iranain leader-Syed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, the letter conveniently referred to the group simply as a “community,” grossly overlooking its nomenclature; Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims-historically an off-shot of the Twelver Shi’ite tradition itself.

Many commentators on social media handles suggest relocating and restarting this initiative in other deserving areas where poverty is still looming widespread, like Ghizer, Chilas, Diamer, Broghil or Chitral. They argue that the damaged infrastructure should only be restored if local communities themselves show the will to rebuild it. Such restoration and ownership would serve as a litmus test of the genuine need and commitment for its presence, especially given the limited resources and mounting economic challenges faced by mountain communities. Unfortunately, climate change has been completely changing the landscape during the last two years. With every mishap, religious sentiments are deeply hurt, perpetuating a vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction. Ideally, as a responsible and constructive partner in development, the Anjuman should have assumed stewardship of the initiative it claims its predecessors had invited AKDN to establish its agencies in the region.

Since 1986, nearly four decades of private social initiatives deserved commendation and support. Yet, public commentaries weighed it little. Public sector offices are funded by the state and could be rebuilt from tax payers’ money. In developed and civilized countries such institutions are rarely destroyed, as they primarily serve the public at large.

For those closely associated with AKRSP in Skardu—as workers, beneficiaries, or supporters—the incident was deeply personal and alarming. For many others, however, it appeared to be just another unfortunate event. Such indifferent responses insinuate lack of community spirit and collective responsibility, reflecting a growing culture of self-interest that weakens such civic bodies. The incident should prompt reflection rather than fade as a passing headline, inspire renewed sense of social responsibility among the people to serve the common good.

It is my wishful proposition that Aga Syed Baqir Al-Hussaini, President of Anjuman Imamia Skardu, should be appointed CEO of AKRSP’s Skardu chapter to quickly mobilize donations and restart the halted work for the next four decades. This would demonstrate him as a man of action rather than a pulpit speaker, benefiting all practically and establishing him as a true leader of deen-o-duniya.

I oppose the shifting proposition and forming an investigation committee, since commissions in our country are often commissioned and then forgotten. When religious affiliations or unseen actors (“namaloom afrad”) are involved, matters are usually brushed under the carpet. Social media users say, one cannot ride two horses at the same time—development and destruction cannot coexist.

The mission of AKDN is to act as a catalyst for positive change, improving living conditions through community-based programs where an enabling environment exists—a point Aga Khan IV has been frequently emphasized. Is this factor currently lacking in Skardu context? Notably, Shigar Fort (Fong Khar) and Khaplu Palace, both restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), have remained preserved and untouched. Realistic and constructive development in education, health, entrepreneurship, tourism, microfinance, agricultural innovation, and the preservation of art and architecture is easier said than done, requiring wholehearted acceptance and active engagement of stakeholders to be sustained and expanded.

Being native of the same region, I hope for interfaith harmony. The true test and goodwill of the president and the valley’s residents lies in restoring the setup to its original state, fostering genuine conducive working space for harmonious progress than mere pulpit rhetoric. Is my personal private suggestion not practical and grounded or an outlandish idea?

Otherwise, we will remain what Iqbal Lahori says, which the late supreme leader Syed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei(may his soul rest in heavenly perennial peace) used to call him while making reference his poetic couplets,