social infrastructure

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Village Level Governance Structures

As part of the Hunza state the village remained for long time under the influence of Mir of Hunza and his representatives for the overall governance. The traditional leadership like Thrungpa and Numbardars were responsible to look after the whole affairs. The abolition of the Hunza state in 1974 created a vacuum in this regard. This vacuum was quickly filled by the CSOs created under the Aga Khan Development Network and Ismaili Councils. Today these are the major and most effective CSOs not only in this village but all over the Hunza region.

1.        Ismaili Local Councils

The Ismaili local council for Altit and Baltit is mandated to look after the overall governance of the Ismaili community. However, the Ismaili Council is not directly involve in the day to day governance issues of the village. The institution is working under Ismaili Regional Council for Hunza which is affiliated with Ismaili National Council for Pakistan. The council works as an umbrella organisation for many other institutions working on different sectors.

1. Conciliation and Arbitration Panel for Altit/Karimabad

2. Aga Khan Youth and Sports Committee Altit/Karimabad

3. Aga Khan Economic Planning Committee Altit/Karimabad

4. Aga Khan Social Welfare Committee Altit/Karimabad

5. Women Activities Committee Altit/Karimabad 

6. Human Resource Development Committee Altit/Karimabad

7. FOCUS Humanitarian Village Committees Altit

8. Open Ismaili District Boys Scouts Groups Altit

9. Open Ismaili District Girls Guides Groups Altit

10. Ismaili Gents and Ladies Volunteer Corps Altit

2.       Community-based Organisations

1.      Altit Town Management Society (ATMS)

ATMs is the main local level organisation working with different international level NGOs and donors in order to enhance the living standard of the local community. It has completed a preservation of old settlement project with partnership of Japan government. Presently is collaborating AKCSP in preservation of historical Altit fort. ATMS also established a village level child and mother health unit with the help of Austrian NGO. KADO has also established close partnership with ATMS by establishing E-village Resource Center under this organisation.

2.       Al-Karim Educational & Social Welfare Society

This organisation was established by some enlightened educated people in order to provide quality high school level education to the local community. The Beacon House School was established under this organisation which has now started Higher Secondary Level education for females in the village.

3.      Village & Women Organisations (VOs & WOs)

These organisations were established by AKRSP after 1984. After active functions for many years majority of VO/WOs are now not properly functioning. People are blaming the office bearers for corruption in savings of the members.

4.       Vision Cooperative Society

This society is functioning like VO/WOs for saving money and provide credit facilities for the members. The society is also involved in business activities.

5.     Altit Youth & Social Welfare Organisation (ASWA)

The youth of Altit established ASWA in order to involve youth in positive activities. However, after some initial activities the organization is now in hibernation.

6.    Al-Shams Welfare and Sports Club

This club is actively involved to promote sports activities in the village and develop leadership qualities in youth.

3.       Traditional Leadership

The Numbardari system was introduced in sub continent during the British Raj. The Nambardars are still playing due role and privileges in the overall affairs of the village. In central Hunza, it is hereditary and transfers from father to son or close relatives. There is tribe wise Numbardars headed by Aala Numbardar in the village. The Aala Numbadar also gets some remuneration from Government.

Political Leadership

1.       Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC)

Unlike other part of the country the Northern Areas have different political structure. The supreme political institution is the NALC with a very limited authority. From Hunza there is a single seat in the NALC. Presently, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan is the elected representative from Hunza who is also the Deputy Chief executive of Northern Areas. Up till 1974 the Mir was enjoying full authority and governance over the Hunza. During 1960s the local community started movements against forced labour and taxes in Karachi which later turned into anti Mir movement. In this regard Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supported the movement in Karachi and many of top leadership visited Hunza. After that the people divided in to two political ideologies. The anti Mir group joined PPP and the Mir Group later joined Pakistan Muslim League (PML).  However, up till 1994, Mir himself appointed as political representative. In the 1994 election, local community for the first time elected Nazir Sabir (the famous climber), which turned the history of political monopoly. After that election Mr. Wazir Baig defeated Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan. In the recent election of 2005 Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan re-elected as member from Hunza.

2.       District Council

Hunza has 4 members in the Gilgit District Council. Altit and Karimabad has a combine seat in the council. Presently Karim Sher from Karimabad is the member. As Karimabad has large population than Altit therefore most of time the candidate from Karimabad gets elected. Mr. Aliyar Khan who is now the Vice President of ATMS was also member District Council for many years.

3.       Union Council

Union Council is the lowest tier in the political system of Northern Areas. Presently there are 4??? seats for the entire Altit village. During the recent election women were also given special seats so a women councillor is also selected from the village.