GILGIT BALTISTAN UNITED MOVEMENT

Gilgit Baltistan: Manzoor Parwana,s message to the Youth of GB

2011-12-09T03:01:00.001-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Manzoor Parwana,s message to the Youth of GB

2011-12-09T03:01:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: GB people should follow the message of Karbala to get freedom

2011-12-09T02:48:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Human rights violation rising in the region day by day

2011-11-29T23:42:00.000-08:00

Human rights violations, sectarian targeted killings and state-led terrorism continue in Gilgit under government patronage. After one hundred days of the tragedy of Hunza, where a father and his son were killed by law enforcement agents, government has failed to arrest the murderers. It has rather resorted to arresting and torturing political leader Babajan Hunzai and twelve other activists, which shows absence of law and justice in the region. This was stated by chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Engineer Manzoor Parwana. He claimed that Gilgit-Baltistan ranked top in South Asia when counting the number of incidents of human rights violations in the year 2011. He accused the so-called provincial government for not only failing to control but intentionally supporting and promoting state-led terrorism, sectarianism, lawlessness, targeted killings and corruption which has engulfed Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that GBUM will issue white paper in this regard and details will be sent to the international human rights organizations including the UNO.

Manzoor accused the government of Mehdi Shah for arresting him on false charges and keeping in the lock up for several weeks. He stated that the government established false cases of sedition and terrorism to malign him and hurt his political career. He said that political activists associated with GBUM are being harassed and face political revenge. “Progressive leaders like Babajan and his dozens of fellows continue to linger in jail. There is complete censorship on freedom of speech and expression in Gilgit-Baltistan. Barring workers of Pakistan Peoples Party, all other political activists and social workers face harassment from government agencies.”

Parwana requests the international community to pressure Pakistan to pay attention to human rights violations in the disputed territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, so that natives could live a free life, a life of their choice, and a life with dignity and basic rights. He warned that a large scale human catastrophe awaits us if international community fails to pay attention to political and constitutional impasse in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Manzoor Parwana
Chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement
November 30, 2011

Gilgit Baltista: HR Violation exposed

2011-11-21T00:27:00.000-08:00

Babajan Hunzai: Latest victim of Pakistani Brutality

2011-09-28T04:20:00.001-07:00

Babajan Hunzai is chairperson of Progressive Youth Front of Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and member of central executive committee of Pakistan Labor Party. He has remained in the forefront supporting the cause of thousands of neglected flood victims of Hunza who await financial assistance from the occupied regime. Given his popularity, secret service agencies framed him for sedition and tortured for three days, which has caused severe physical and psychological trauma.

According to a local journalist, Akbar Shah, the jail authorities have refused medical treatment to Babajan. His kidneys are severely affected due to beating. Other types of physical torture include forceful removal of toe and finger nails, and body hair, and repeated heavy blows on chest and stomach. The doctor who examined Babajan has recommended transferring him to Gilgit District Hospital but the police continue to resist the move. There are 34 other political and social activists who remain in custody of the police and security forces and face unabated torture and insults.

Meanwhile, several family members and relatives of Engineer Manzoor Parwana, who is the chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, have been suspended from their jobs. Manzoor has recently been released on bail after spending one month in Gilgit jail. He was charged for supporting the refugees who demand opening of the line of control and travel across into Indian Ladakh. The district deputy commissioner is using his influence on voters and family members of Parwana to pressure and discourage him from political activities.

Senge Sering

Gilgit Baltistan: CM of Gilgit Baltistan on Revenge

2011-09-28T04:16:00.000-07:00

Manzoor Parwana Welcome in Baltistan

2011-09-28T04:10:00.001-07:00

A large number of people in Rondu welcomed Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana when he arrived there after his release from the central jail Gilgit.
People from all walks of life including nationalist leaders from other areas of the region garlanded Parwana. Rose petals were showered on his motorcade as it passed through the streets of the town. The GBUM leader addressed public gatherings at two points and said his arrest and honorable release was a victory for the entire people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said he was put behind bars for raising voice for the rights of the masses and against the injustices of the rulers.
He said when armed security personnel surrounded him outside a hotel to arrest him for his speech in Gilgit city, he realized that the movement launched by the nationalist parties was nearing victory. And your presence here today establish the fact that we will get our rights which have been denied to us for the last over six decades.
He said if raising voice against injustices and for the achievement of people's basic rights was a crime he would continue to commit it. The GBUM chief said that the rulers had thought that by intimidation and arm twisting, they could suppress the people of the region. However, he added, they would never succeed in suppressing the voice of the masses anymore.
Speaking on the occasion, nationalist leader Ghulam Shehzad Agha said that by ordering the arrest of Manzoor the Mehdi Shah government has established its anti-people policies. He said his arrest was aimed at suppressing the truth. He said Mehdi Shah government had failed in all fronts and to conceal his failures he was staging one drama after the other by arresting nationalist leaders.
Muslim League Rondu chapter's president Haji Suleman said that Manzoor was a brave son of Rondu and by remaining in jail he has proved that he will never leave the people of the region alone at times of trial and tribulation.
Balawaristan National Front (BNF) leader Aslam Inqilabi paid tributes to Mr Parwana and said that his sacrifice was a symbol of victory and determination for the nationalist parties in the region. He said people like Manzoor were a beacon of hope for the entire masses of the region.

Manzoor Parwana Welcome in Baltistan

2011-09-28T03:50:00.000-07:00

Manzoor Parwana Welcome in Baltistan after his released form Gilgit Prison .

Pakistan will fail to silence me:Manzoor Parwana

2011-09-28T02:37:00.000-07:00

Recently released from the prison, chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Manzoor Hussain Parwana, has stated that he will continue his struggle for an independent Gilgit-Baltistan. He requested the UNO to intervene and take control of the law and order situation in the occupied region.

He was commenting on the targeted killing of two residents of Gilgit on august 29th, which has brought the entire city to a standstill. He said, "Looking at the worsening situation in Karachi, Pakistani regime has failed to maintain law and order in its own country. Yet, it aspires to expand its frontiers into Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Targeted killing has become a routine in Gilgit and Pakistani security forces and secret service agencies are directly involved in it. The situation in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan invites direct intervention from the UNO forces."

Like Manzoor Parwana, hundreds of other political activists of Gilgit-Baltistan remain either in prison or incognito fearing reprisal from Pakistani occupying regimes. Parwana was framed under sedition in 2004 for publishing a magazine called Kargil International, which revealed information about military's mishandling of Kargil war against India. Recently, he was arrested for demanding opening of the line of control and resumption of trade and travel between Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Reference:www. rangyul.com

GBUM will continue struggle for free Gilgit-Baltistan: Manzoor Parwana

2011-09-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Washington DC, DC Thursday, August 04, 2011
The Chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM), Manzoor Parwana, has vowed to continue the struggle for freedom of Gilgit-Baltistan. He was talking to the media from the Gilgit jail, where he is being held indefinitely for demanding cross line of control (LOC) travel and trade between Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh and withdrawal of Pakistani security forces from the disputed region. Gilgit-Baltistan is a UN-declared disputed territory which remains in Pakistani occupation since 1947.

He criticized Pakistani rulers for suppressing the voices of local people who have been demanding their constitutional rights since last six decades. He said, "Our freedom struggle will remain peaceful despite government's intentions of using brutal force against us. Our goal is to gain fundamental human rights including political emancipation. We are fighting against an apartheid regime and will be able to liberate this last surviving colony of the world". He thanked his party workers and friends for supporting him and braving Pakistani brutality.

Islamabad: APNA condemns the arrest of Manzoor Parwana

2011-09-27T04:03:00.000-07:00

Thursday, 25 August 2011 00:00
Rawalapindi, August 25: The leadership of All Parties National Alliance (APNA), an alliance of nationalist and progressive elements, groups, organizations and political parties of Pakistan-Administered-Jammu Kashmir (PAJK) and Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (OGB), Mr. Sabir Kashmiri, Advocate, Mr. M. Iqbal, Advocate, Mr. Shahid Hussain, Advocate, Farooq Niazi, Arif Shahid, Prof. MARK Khaleeque, Mirza Nadir Hassan Khan, Mr. Mehmood Baig, Advocate, Wajid Ali Wajid, Advocate, Mehfooz Tahir, Burhan Ullah, Safdar Ali and some others have, in a joint statement, highly condemned the persecution and arrest of Engineer Manzoor Parwana, an activist and leader of APNA, at the hands of agencies, while speaking in a function arranged by the BSO at Skardu (OGB) a few days ago.

They said that Mr. Parwana was just giving voice to his conscience regarding the political, economic, social and human rights of the people of OGB and was not involved in any subversive activity. The leadership of APNA said that OGB, being disputed territory like other units of Jammu Kashmir, could not be considered part of Pakistan and hence its citizens could not be treated like that by the institutions of Pakistan and its puppets at OGB. Any citizen of OGB had a right to speak for and protest against the deprivation of the people of this territory, they said. They demanded immediate release of Mr. Parwana and an impartial inquiry into his persecution and arrest which is quite illegal and unconstitutional.
Issued By APNA

Baltistan : Peoples are protesting against the arrest of Manzoor Parwana

2011-09-27T03:51:00.000-07:00

Manzoor parwana Arrest deplored

2011-09-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

GILGIT: In order to conceal its own failures and misdeeds and afraid of the rising popularity of nationalist parties, the government of Pakistan is perpetrating injustices on the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and arresting local leaders without any justification.

This was stated by the participants of a meeting attended by leaders of the Balawaristan National Front (BNF) and the Balawaristan National Students Organization (BNSO) here.

The meeting said one example of the arbitrary and illegal actions against nationalist leaders in the region was the arrest by elite police and Rangers of Manzoor Hussain Parwana, the chairman of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement in Gilgit the other day.

The participants of the meeting said that the only crime Mr Parwana had committed was that during his recent public meetings he had spoken in support of the affected people of Kargil and Laddakh and demanded immediate withdrawal of mining licence awarded to Mohsin Industries in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The participants of the meeting demanded that Mr Parwana should be released without any delay otherwise the government would be responsible for any untoward incident.

Speaking on the occasion, former chairman of the BNSO Khurshid Alam said that Pakistan had continued its injustices with the two million people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the people of the region were even not allowed the right of expression and their resources were being plundered by outsiders.

The participants of the meeting warned the government of Pakistan to mend its ways otherwise the people of the region, especially the youth, will rise against it.

Meanwhile, people of Rondu held a protest gathering and deplored the arrest of Mr Manzoor Parwana. They asked the government to release the nationalist leader otherwise the masses would take to the streets against the blatant violation of human rights and illegal act of the rulers.

They said that Mr Parwana had been raising voice for the rights of the masses and the registration of a concocted case against him was an insult with the peaceful people of the region.

They said that if Mr Parwana was not released immediately, the people of the region would launch a movement for safeguard of their rights and against government’s continued violations of human rights.

Free Manzoor Hussain Parwana

2011-09-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

Written by
Waqas Ahmed

Manzoor Parwana, the Chairman of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) was detained during a concerted operation of Pakistan's law enforcement, Pakistani Rangers, Khyber Rifles and secret service personnel on July 28, 2011 at approximately 2 PM when he had just finished addressing the annual convention of Balawaristan National Students Organization (BNSO) in Gilgit. Later he was shifted to an unknown place by the secret service personnel for interrogation. According to the FIR, he was arrested for expressing support to the refugees of Ladakh in Gilgit-Baltistan who demand opening of the line of control; demanding re-instatement of State Subject Rule in the region; demanding withdrawal of Pakistani security forces from the region; and demanding basic human rights for the occupied nation of Gilgit-Baltistan.
KWA requests International Human Rights organizations including Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to take immediate action.KWA also requests the United Nations, American Congress, the European Parliament and SAARC to take immediate notice of the failing human rights situation in occupied Gilgit Baltistan.
KWA calls for demilitarization of Gilgit-Baltistan, promotion of genuine autonomy and democracy, withdrawal of extremist elements, re-instatement of state subject rule and people to people contact between Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan. It asks the United Nations to play its role in empowering local political institutions and ensuring freedom of expression and political activity. Wahid Kashir London
KWA requests International Human Rights organizations including Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to take immediate action.KWA also requests the United Nations, American Congress, the European Parliament and SAARC to take immediate notice of the failing human rights situation in occupied Gilgit Baltistan.
KWA calls for demilitarization of Gilgit-Baltistan, promotion of genuine autonomy and democracy, withdrawal of extremist elements, re-instatement of state subject rule and people to people contact between Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan. It asks the United Nations to play its role in empowering local political institutions and ensuring freedom of expression and political activity. Wahid Kashir London

The Kashmiri Workers Association Britain condemned the incident and termed it an attack on freedom of expression and political activity and illegal interference of Pakistani security forces in a UN-declared disputed region. They stated that his arrest was an effort of Pakistani occupying forces to promote state-led terrorism in Gilgit-Baltistan; derail India-Pakistan peace process and defame the nationalist forces, which demand complete withdrawal of occupying forces from their land.

Wahid Kashir the Spokesperson of KWA stated that Manzoor has been charged under section 123A, 124A and 153A of Pakistan penal code, which is an immoral and illegal act of the law enforcement agencies since these sections do not apply to the permanent residents of a disputed territory which lie outside the constitutional boundary of Pakistan. Pakistan is a signatory to the resolutions passed by the United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan assuring withdraw of her forces and citizens from Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Kashmir. However, it has continued military escalation, amassing more than forty thousand personnel in the region, which is a clear violation of international laws.

KWA has demanded release of all political prisoners of Gilgit-Baltistan and an end to apartheid era in South Asia. Similar appeal has come from political activists of Kargil district in Indian Ladakh, requesting opening of the line of control and reunification of Gilgit-Baltistan with the rest of Ladakh.

Manzoor is currently fighting a sedition case for criticizing Pakistani military for their misgivings during the Kargil War of 1999. His publication called Kargil International Magazine was also banned during the same time for exposing military crimes. He remains vocal demanding freedom for Gilgit Baltistan which remains in Pakistani occupation since 1947.We at Kashmiri Workers Association In support of local political parties; Gilgit Baltistan National Congress (GBNC) condemns abduction of Manzoor Parwana who is a seasoned politician and voice of the two million voiceless people of occupied Gilgit Baltistan.

Manzoor Parwana's letter to his son from Gilgit Prison

2011-09-27T03:12:00.000-07:00

Manzoor Hussain Parwana is charged for sedition and detained in central jail, Gilgit-Baltistan. Recently he wrote a letter to his three years old son, Anchan Sengge, which is reproduced here.

Dear Anchan Sengge

My earnest apologies for staying away from you all and failing to arrange a medical checkup for your five-month old sister, Tongo Zazo. For all these ten days, I didn’t have access to the phone either since I am detained in a jail in Gilgit.

Your father is struggling for socio-economic and political rights for the disenfranchised people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistani authorities use brutal force and colonial tactics to suppress such movements. On July 28, 2011, they had once again planned to create bloodshed and mayhem in Gilgit-Baltistan by arresting the political workers. However, your father and his colleagues exposed their conspiracies by remaining peaceful.

Dear Anchan!

On that day, I was invited as a guest speaker to talk to the students of Gilgit-Baltistan. During my speech, I talked about corruption, financial embezzlement, nepotism and social injustices which the colonial apartheid regime promotes in the region with impunity.

I demanded power to the people, genuine autonomy and a governance system based on justice and therefore I was abducted by the security forces.

I demanded re-instatement of State Subject Rule and cancellation of mining licenses to foreign companies including Mohsin Industries and desired locals of Gilgit-Baltistan regaining control over our land and resources and that is why they arrested me.

I demanded cross-LOC trade and travel between Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh which could also help ten thousand divided family members and they implicated me for treason.

I demanded provision of adequate health, education, drinking water and jobs for the local youth and they put shackles on me. My demands offended Pakistani military establishment, bureaucrats and security service agents and they decided to shut me down.

My son!

As I was coming out of Palace Hotel, peaceful and unarmed, hundreds of para-military and police personnel lurking on the streets encircled me and put me in the ISI detention center to prove their valor and loyalty to the occupiers.

You continue questioning your mom about my whereabouts. May be the concept of jail will become clearer to you once you grow up. It is like a state guest house where no one enters and exits with free will.

Hopefully one day, I will reunite with you, the way Ladakhi refugees of Gilgit-Baltistan will reunite with their loved ones. For the time being, just know that your loving father is in custody of an unjust apartheid regime, which has no constitutional rights to be in Gilgit-Baltistan in the first place.

I will continue to oppose state-led brutality and occupation. I intend to help natives of Gilgit-Baltistan gain freedom from militancy, extremism, terrorism, slavery, religious and ethnic discrimination, corruption, poverty and injustice; and have already placed the burial shroud on me. My path is challenging and long and the destination awaits us impatiently. In this struggle for rights for our nation, we will be victorious.

I expect you and Zazo to receive me with garland of flowers and optimism as and when the opportunity arises.

With Love,

Your Father

Manzoor Hussain Parwana

Central Jail, Gilgit

August 6, 2011

FIR against Manzoor Parwana

2011-09-27T03:06:00.001-07:00

Baltistan United Movement GBUM, Engineer Manzoor Parwana, was arrested in Gilgit

2011-09-27T01:59:00.000-07:00

Gilgit: Chairman of the Gilgit – Baltistan United Movement GBUM, Engineer Manzoor Parwana, was yesterday . He was arrested after he made a speech at the convention of Balawaristan National Students Organization (BNSO).

According to government sources Parwana spoke against the state and supported the people who have threatened to march towards the Indian border, in favour of their demands for opening of roads.

Arrest of Manzoor Parwana has been criticized by nationalist and liberal forces, who have termed it to be equal to suppression of the freedom of speech and expression.

It is pertinent to note that Parwana has been arrested on several occasions on different charges, including treason and conspiring against the state, charges that Parwana has negated.

Gilgit-Baltistan: Increased ISI Presence Leads to Unfair Detention

2011-09-27T01:58:00.001-07:00

August 2, 2011

Manzoor Parwana, an outspoken politician opposed to Pakistani occupation, was arrested on 28 July 2011 for challenging military encroachment in the region.

Below is a article published by Expert Click:

Manzoor Parwana is one of the leading politicians in Gilgit-Baltistan who opposes Pakistan's unilateral occupation of the disputed region, which is also claimed by India. He was abducted on July 28 by Pakistani security forces for raising voice for more than ten thousand Ladakhi refugees, who reside in different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, and desire reunification with their relatives in India.

This happened at the time when Pakistani foreign minister, Ms. Khar, was on her visit to India. With no realization of detention and torture of political leaders in Gilgit-Baltistan, she was lecturing India on promoting freedom of expression and political activity in Kashmir. She was also provided with the relaxed environment to join Hurriyat leaders in their demand for the right of self-determination for Kashmir; something that Pakistan categorically denies for Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan. These two occupied regions are tightly controlled and largely out of bounds, which restricts both political and international humanitarian work.

Manzoor was arrested for expressing something which adds to the insecurities of Pakistani champions of democracy and self-rule. During his speech at the annual convention of Balawaristan National Students Organization in Gilgit, which became the basis for his detention, he challenged Pakistani presence in Gilgit-Baltistan based on constitutional grounds. He stated that Pakistan lacks the sovereign rights over Gilgit-Baltistan and therefore must withdraw her troops and citizens from the region. He drew parallels between Pakistani troops stationed in Gilgit-Baltistan to Syria's presence in Lebanon and said, "Just because some elements desire to see a permanent Pakistani presence in Gilgit-Baltistan does not mean that Pakistani troops have gained the legitimacy to continue the occupation. Pakistan is violating international laws and UN resolutions on Gilgit-Baltistan, which exposes her true face viz. a viz. Kashmir issue."

For all these years, Manzoor has been critical of military's involvement in the political affairs in Gilgit-Baltistan. He was under surveillance since last few months for approaching international policy and rights organizations to garner support for Gilgit-Baltistan. In June, Manzoor was going to be the key note speaker at a conference in the European Parliament; however, he was barred from travelling abroad.

According to his attorney, Advocate Ehsan Ali, who is also the president of Gilgit-Baltistan High Court Bar Association, Manzoor has been booked for sedition and questioned for his connection with those among the Ladakhi refugees who declared a long march towards the Indian line of control in protest of Pakistani reluctance to open the LOC on humanitarian grounds. In reality, he is being punished for his networking skills to disseminate information to individuals and institutions in Europe and America.

Advocate Ehsan and others within political organizations of Gilgit-Baltistan have requested Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and Amnesty International to take immediate notice of the grave political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan and demand of Pakistani authorities to release Manzoor Parwana and respect freedom of expression and political activity in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistani civil society must realize that Pakistan's double standards on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan only make the CBMs futile and overburden rapidly depleting resources. Only the people of Pakistan and not the outsiders can force the military establishment discard its colonial era tactics and work for social and economic integration within South Asia.

Gilgit Baltistan: Detainment of Manzoor Parwana is the latest of political activists

2011-09-27T01:56:00.001-07:00

August 1, 2011

Manzoor Parwana arrested for expressing support for refugees of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Below is an article published by Balawaristan National Front:

Manzoor Parwana, the Chairman of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) was detained during a concerted operation of Pakistan's law enforcement, Pakistani Rangers, Khyber Rifles and secret service personnel on July 28, 2011 at approximately 2 PM when he had just finished addressing the annual convention of Balawaristan National Students Organization (BNSO) in Gilgit. Later he was shifted to an unknown place by the secret service personnel for interrogation. According to the FIR, he was arrested for expressing support to the refugees of Ladakh in Gilgit-Baltistan who demand opening of the line of control; demanding re-instatement of State Subject Rule in the region; demanding withdrawal of Pakistani security forces from the region; and demanding basic human rights for the occupied nation of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Right after his arrest, Advocate Ehsan Ali, President of Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Association, Engineer Amanullah, Chairman of Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance, Safdar Ali, President of Balawaristan National Front, Ghulam Shehzad Agha, General Secretary of GBUM, Babajan Hunzai, Coordinator of Progressive Youth Front, and Tauseef Hassan, President of BNSO held press conferences condemning the incident and termed it an attack on freedom of expression and political activity and illegal interference of Pakistani security forces in a UN-declared disputed region. They stated that his arrest was an effort of Pakistani occupying forces to promote state-led terrorism in Gilgit-Baltistan; derail India-Pakistan peace process and defame the nationalist forces, which demand complete withdrawal of occupying forces from their land.

Safdar Ali stated that Manzoor has been charged under section 123A, 124A and 153A of Pakistan penal code, which is an immoral and illegal act of the law enforcement agencies since these sections do not apply to the permanent residents of a disputed territory which lie outside the constitutional boundary of Pakistan. Pakistan is a signatory to the resolutions passed by the United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan assuring withdraw of her forces and citizens from Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Kashmir. However, it has continued military escalation, amassing more than forty thousand personnel in the region, which is a clear violation of international laws.

Babajan Hunzai has demanded release of all political prisoners of Gilgit-Baltistan and an end to apartheid era in South Asia. Similar appeal has come from political activists of Kargil district in Indian Ladakh, requesting opening of the line of control and reunification of Gilgit-Baltistan with the rest of Ladakh.

In his press release, Ghulam Shehzad Agha said, “Detention of political activists continues in Pakistan and its occupied regions despite assurances of the prime minister to the international community of upholding democracy and freedom of political activity and expression. People of Gilgit-Baltistan cannot be booked for treason since they are not citizens of Pakistan. If supporting the refugees of Ladakh to promote their birth right of free travel, and socio-economic activity is a crime, then GBUM will continue to commit it. GBUM will support rally of the Ladakhi refugees towards the line of control even after the arrest of Manzoor Parwana.” Agha also condemned Pakistani establishment for awarding illegal mining licenses to the Chinese companies, who have their eyes set on uranium rich mineral deposits of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Manzoor is currently fighting a sedition case for criticizing Pakistani military for their misgivings during the Kargil War of 1999. His publication called Kargil International Magazine was also banned during the same time for exposing military crimes. He remains vocal demanding freedom for Gilgit Baltistan which remains in Pakistani occupation since 1947.

In support of local political parties; Gilgit Baltistan National Congress (GBNC) condemns abduction of Manzoor Parwana who is a seasoned politician and voice of the two million voiceless people of occupied Gilgit Baltistan.

GBNC requests International Human Rights organizations including Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to take immediate action. GBNC also requests the United Nations, American Congress, the European Parliament and SAARC to take immediate notice of the failing human rights situation in occupied Gilgit Baltistan.

GBNC calls for demilitarization of Gilgit-Baltistan, promotion of genuine autonomy and democracy, withdrawal of extremist elements, re-instatement of state subject rule and people to people contact between Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan. It asks the United Nations to play its role in empowering local political institutions and ensuring freedom of expression and political activity.

Senge Sering

Gilgit Baltistan National Congress

1831 Belmont Road NW

Washington DC, DC

Gilgit Baltistan: Opposition Leader Arrested At Student Rally

2011-09-27T01:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.unpo.org/article/12996

August 4, 2011

Chairman of the Gilgit Baltistan United Movement, Mr. Manzoor Parwana, has been arrested by Pakistani security forces without obvious charge following a speech to the Balawaristan National Students Organisation, Gilgit City.

Below is a Press Release from the Balawaristan National Front:

Manzoor Hussain Parwana, the Chairman of the Gilgit Baltistan United Movement has been arrested by Pakistan Rangers, FC and Gilgit City Police commandos after his speech in the convention of Balawaristan National Students Organization on 28th July 2011. He was already framed in sedition charges by the occupation regime of Pakistan, because he was exposing Pakistan Forces and their intelligence agencies’ illegal activities in Gilgit Baltistan, a newly created province of Pakistan.

It is reported that Mr. Manzoor has been taken to Inter Services Intelligence service (ISI) Centre at Sonikote Gilgit, where he will be interrogated by ISI, MI and other forces. It is obvious that he will be tortured and will be framed in any fake case to malign the nationalist movement in this disputed area, so the attention of arrest of ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai by FBI in Washington is neutralized. Mr. Fai was arrested in the USA on the charges of being a spy of Pakistan.

He was the editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper the Kargil International was banned few years ago when he published interviews of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) soldiers who were used as mercenaries against India in Kargil war in 1999 by the former General Musharraf, by terming them as Mujahideen (holy warriors) and he (Musharraf) himself confessed that misadventure by giving awards to those who were killed on Kargil mountains. In that war he did accept the dead bodies of some Pakistani but denied to accept the dead bodies of the soldiers of Gilgit Baltistan in spite of the offer by government of India to take the dead bodies of NLI soldiers, whose bodies have been buried temporarily on the mountains of Kargil

Gilgit and Baltistan are treated as Pakistan occupied areas, where pro-Pakistani political parties and religious parties are free to address the public while nationalist parties who oppose the Pakistani occupation are under serious threat and their right of speech and free movement and political activities are restricted by all cruel acts. In the last elections of 2009 for the so-called empowerment package, the candidates of GBDA (Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance) were arrested and some were sent exiled by force, while the pro-Pakistani parties were freed to right on their will.

We appeal for his immediate release and the withdrawal of all charges against him. The people of Gilgit and Baltistan should be allowed ascertain their right of self determination. We also appeal to the UN and Human Rights organizations to take urgent action to save his life.

Gilgit-Baltistan Movement Leader Arrested by Pak Army

2011-09-27T01:48:00.000-07:00

PTI | Washington | Jul 31, 2011 PRINT SHARE COMMENTS

Manzoor Parwana, Chairman of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM), has been arrested for demanding withdrawal of Pakistani forces and supporting the refugees from Ladakh in the region, an advocacy group here claimed today.

Parwana was held during a concerted operation of Pakistan's law enforcement, Pakistani Rangers, Khyber Rifles and secret service personnel on July 28 when he had just finished addressing the annual convention of Balawaristan National Students Organisation (BNSO) in Gilgit, the US-based advocacy group 'Gilgit Baltistan National Congress' said in a statement.

According to the FIR, he was arrested for expressing support for the refugees of Ladakh in Gilgit Baltistan who want opening of the Line of Control and demanding reinstatement of State Subject Rule in the region, withdrawal of Pakistani security forces from there and basic human rights for the people, it said.

The GBUM headed by Parwana demands a fully autonomous state consisting of Gilgit and Baltistan, also known as the Northern Areas.

Filed On: Jul 31, 2011 13:31 IST , Edited On: Jul 31, 2011

Gilgit Baltistan: CM WANT TO SELL GB

2011-07-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan:peace conference blamed colonial system for riots in GB

2011-07-01T00:57:00.001-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Peace conference at Skardu

2011-06-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Provincial like setup hinders socio-economic growth

2011-04-29T02:15:00.001-07:00

While talking to the media on April 27, Chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Engineer Manzoor Hussain Parwana, drew attention to the fact that Pakistan controlled Gilgit-Baltistan is moving towards financial bankruptcy and authorities lack funds to pay salaries to the employees of energy, water, sanitation, civil supply, road and buildings, education and health departments. He said that the situation contradicts Pakistan's claims regarding effectiveness of the empowerment and self-governance ordinance of 2009. It is true that the ordinance may have created few hundred positions and designations of cabinet members and high ranking Pakistani bureaucrats. But these bureaucrats have largely worked to safeguard interests of Islamabad rather than serve poverty-stricken natives.

Parwana said that the civilian developmental budget has been redirected to the office of Chief Minister to pay for allowances and protocol expenditures of the entourage of ministers. He quoted the auditor general of Gilgit-Baltistan, that if non-developmental expenditure is not reduced, then the entire province-like set up will cease to function in the next few months.

Parwana said that the governmental departments like Local Government and Rural Development (LG&RD), which currently have no funds to undertake projects, are forced to falsely claim credit for the development projects initiated and completed by Aga Khan Developmental Network (AKDN). It is precisely because developmental budget of LG&RD is being spent on election rallies and buying loyalties of the politicians. He stressed that the government should stop relying on non-profit organizations to run the affairs of the region and fulfill their designated responsibilities. He lamented the fact that after completion of two years by the current regime, no annual development plan (ADP) has been presented, which hinders socio-economic growth. Today, targeted killings continue unabated and thousands of employees are protesting on the road demanding salaries, which shows that Pakistan has lost its writ in the region. A situation similar to Syria, Lybia and Yemen exists in Gilgit-Baltistan and international community needs to pay immediate attention.

In the context, thousands of affected people of Ataabad Lake disaster await funds for rehabilitation and compensation for the land and revenue losses. These people are victim of embezzlement, nepotism and in-efficiencies within government departments. He emphasized that eliminating Islamabad’s interference in Gilgit-Baltistan will help address these issues.

Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman
Gilgit Baltistan United ovement
Skardu : 28 April 2011

Gilgit Baltistan : GB to stage a bloody uprising.

2011-03-26T08:38:00.001-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan : GB to stage a bloody uprising.

Skardu,
March 26, 2011

Corruption, joblessness and lack of funds are forcing the natives of GB to stage a bloody uprising. Government's policy to continue Islamabad's colonial system is causing irreparable damage to the people of GB. These views were expressed Manzoor Hussain Parwana Chief of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement addressing a press conference at Skardu.
Parwana said Pakistan's autonomy package has failed to produce results as terrorism, targeted killing and corruption have made GB a hostage. The ad-hoc presidential ordinance is not the solution, as people want genuine autonomy. A Tunisian style uprising is in the offing as the regime has failed to pay attention to the genuine needs of the people. Although currently, poverty, ban on political activity, lack of freedom of expression, and fear is holding the people back but educated youth are more aware and ready to regain control over their land. They know that they are dealing with one of the most ruthless regimes and militaries in the world, which is not shy of killing their own people for paltry amounts of compensation and ransom.
"This regime does not work for their own citizens but rather work for money. What autonomy can we expect from such a regime. Main reason of target killing is denial of basic human rights. In the name of autonomy, thousands of security forces have arrived in the region, which oppress the natives with impunity. Instead of confronting the terrorists, they torture and harass nationalist political workers. The only solution acceptable to these issues is respect to the wishes of locals and withdrawal of Pakistani colonial masters from the region." Parwana added

Issued By
GBUM
Central Secretariat Skardu

Gilgit Baltistan : GB to stage a bloody uprising.

2011-03-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan : Harassment of Nationalist leader intensifies

2011-03-25T00:21:00.000-07:00

March 24, 2011
The ad-hoc self-governance and empowerment presidential ordinance, which was promulgated by President Zardari in June 2009 to solve political issues of Gilgit-Baltistan, has failed to garner any support among the natives of the region. The situation is favoring nationalists and separatists as thousands of youth have joined the ranks and demand genuine political autonomy and withdrawal of Pakistani security forces from the region. Nationalists assert that Gilgit-Baltistan is part of the disputed princely state of Jammu & Kashmir and therefore, Pakistan must withdraw from the region to honor the United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949. Further, they claim that natives of Gilgit-Baltistan have the same birth right to self-determination, which Pakistan currently prescribes for the people of Kashmir Valley.

Ironically, while Pakistan promotes the cause of the Kashmiri people and supports their right of freedom; it restricts political activity for the nationalists in Gilgit-Baltistan and encourages its security forces to brutally suppress similar aspirations. Human rights violations and attack on human right defenders have increased since the promulgation of Zardari ordinance in 2009. There is a complete ban on political activity and public gathering of the nationalists and many activists and leaders remain expelled from the region. It has become a routine for the agents of secret service agency of Pakistan, Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI to barge into the houses of political activists to threaten their family members. The situation needs immediate international attention as human right defenders are not safe in their own homes while the region remains in de-facto control of ISI personnel.

On March 10, 2011, a green pick-up truck belonging to the 411 command office of ISI in Skardu, carrying two agents arrived in Haji Bazaar of Thowar, Baltistan. The two personnel along with the driver Sipahi Muhammad Hussain, who originally belongs to Kharmang, Baltistan, then barged into the house of the Chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Engineer Manzoor Parwana. They pretended to be his friends and inquired about his whereabouts and social activities. After failing to receive any information, they left the house threatening the family members of the consequences.

Manzoor Parwana, while talking to the crime reporter of the Weekly Baang condemned the cowardly act of Pakistani agencies. He said, “Pakistan is worried since nationalists are becoming popular in the region. I have personally received death threats but I continue my struggle for the independence for my nation”. He demanded that Field Command Office of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Brigade office in Skardu should take immediate notice of such unwarranted interferences by security agencies in the local socio-political matters and order investigation against the afore-mentioned personnel.

Reference: www.weeklybaang.blogspot.com

Gilgit Baltistan: GBUM sees bloody revolution

2011-03-16T00:48:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Nationalists have the solution of GB people

2011-03-16T00:37:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Leader sought Donor agencies intervention

2011-03-10T02:36:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Failure of Pakistan based parties

2011-03-09T03:01:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan : March to blood revolution

2011-03-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

GILGIT BALTISTAN: FATHER DEMISED

2011-01-13T00:58:00.000-08:00

The Chairman of GBUM Manzoor Hussain Parwana and his family thanked of all those sympathyser and friends to condole him on the sudden demise of his Father on 26 November 2010.

ISSUED

GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: The Saga of Slavary

2011-01-13T00:54:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Aga Khan Foundation involved in Corruption

2010-11-13T21:55:00.000-08:00

The Chairperson of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM), Manzoor Parwana, has accused the so-called democratic government of Gilgit-Baltistan, which was established a year ago, of corruption, nepotism and incompetence. He was addressing a press conference at Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan on November 11, 2010 to discuss the issue of ‘taxation without representation’.

He condemned the authorities for imposing tax on the poverty stricken masses and failing to address the concerns of the victims of flashfloods and landslides. He said, “GBUM has decided to call an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss economic and political matters concerning the natives of the region”.

He accused the authorities of providing jobs to a selective group of people who belong to the ruling party, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while ignoring the merit standards. He said, “Officials have been directed to induct those carrying a recommendation letter from the Chief Minister, S. Mehdi Shah. Same trend is now followed by the non-profit organizations like Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). This way, classism is being promoted to benefit a few who impose their will upon the majority. These people are opportunist and only loyal to the ruling party in Islamabad rather than the natives of Gilgit-Baltistan.” In the end, Parwana announced to issue white paper with information on corruption cases pertaining to the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, a project of AKF.

Issued
GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: Taxation is a drone attacked on people

2010-11-12T22:10:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Flood victims booked in sedition cases on demanding relief

2010-11-05T01:25:00.000-07:00

Press Release

Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) held a press conference to condemn cowardly act of the authorities, who have registered sedition case against progressive nationalist right defenders of Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. The activists were holding a peaceful rally demanding relief goods and funds for the flashflood and landslide victims of Hunza-Gojal. Chairperson of GBUM, Manzoor Parwana while addressing the press conference at Skardu, Baltistan, said, “Sedition cases against peaceful flood victims has exposed the so-called democratic regime, which claims to have granted right of freedom of expression and political activity to the masses. Contrary to that, Pakistani agencies continue to obstruct socio-political gatherings, torture and detain activists and commit human rights violations with impunity. With the international community failing to notice, Gilgit-Baltistan continue to remain under colonial-rule.”

Parwana grieved by saying, “Unlike in other countries, where governmental organizations race to reach out to the flood victims, Pakistani authorities resorted to a unique method of providing relief by torturing and detaining the flood victims. This way, they have set an example for others demanding similar rights. The fact that flood victims linger in jails instead of being accommodated at the relief camps is a reflection on the so-called Islamic Republic”.

He termed sedition case a folly, since it has been registered against those demanding food, shelter, medicines and clothing. The protest occurred after Pakistani prime minister visited the flooded villages of Hunza, however, failed to announce adequate relief measures. He challenged validity of such cases, since Gilgit-Baltistan is not a constitutional part of Pakistan. He further said, “Sedition cases involving individuals like Babajan, Wajahat, Noor Ali, Ghulam Zahir, Izhar, Khadim Hussain, Ibrahim, Jan Alam, Gul Nawaz, Rahim, Abdul Karim and Karim Khan were baseless. The police FIR 59625 also prove the fact that the protest was peaceful and a-political.” In the end, he asked the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan to withdraw cases and ensure freedom of expression and appeal in the region.”

Manzoor Hussain Parwana

Chairperson
Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement
Skardu, Baltistan
Dated: November 4, 2010

Gilgit Baltistan: Case against Attaabad affectees condemned

2010-10-26T01:26:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan:We'll be major player in great game: GBUM

2010-10-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

SKARDU: The people of Gilgit-Baltistan will never give a free hand to those who want to stage a great game in the region. The struggle of the two million people of the region is fast getting credibility at the international level and if any world game was launched here the locals would be an active part of it.This was stated by Manzoor Hussain Parwana, the Chairman of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM), while speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of Karakoram National Party (KNM) cabinet here, said a statement issued to the press here.
He said the two million people of the region pay tributes to the EU members for establishing the Friends of Gilgit-Baltistan and providing direct assistance to the flood-affected people here.Parwana pointed out that the creation of Friends of Gilgit-Baltistan in the European Union and the support being extended to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan by the members of EU Parliament showed that the movement of the nationalist parties of GB was getting world recognition and popularity.He said the so-called elected representatives of the masses in Gilgit-Baltistan were wasting the resources and time of the nation and promoting gender hate in the region. Some time they issue statements that a woman should be the governor of the region and some time they say that a male should be posted as the governor. This also shows their political immaturity, he added.He said the people of the region had nothing to do who should be the governor - a female or a male. Because they wanted good governance, rule of law, peace and end to corruption and unemployment.He said that the destiny of all nationalist parties in the region was the same.

GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan : Friends of Gilgit Baltistan Welcomed

2010-10-14T22:57:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Political activists booked in sedition charges

2010-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Political activists booked in sedition charges.

Gilgit Baltistan: Rights violations expose Pakistan's intentions

2010-10-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

SKARDU: Harassment of common citizens and disregard to sanctity of house privacy during search operations in the Gilgit city by security forces has made it clear that Pakistani rulers are voluntarily leaving Gilgit-Balatistan and Islamabad does not need the region anymore. Because had the rulers needed the region they would not have let loose such type of terror in the region and the rulers would not have forgotten that the region was part of the Kashmir dispute and its status to be resolved under the UN resolutions.These views were expressed by Chairman Gilgit-Balatistan United Movement (GBUM) Mmanzoor Hussain Parwana in a press statement issued here.

He said terrorists were coming areas from where arms and ammunition were brought to the region and the terror elements were being patronized by those who are at the helms of affairs in Gilgit-Balatistan. In Gilgit-Baltistan neither produces arms and ammunition not any terrorists. Its people are considered the most civilized and peaceful in the whole world. The soil of the region is abode of peace but unfortunately outsider elements are destroying its tranquillity by pitting the local people against each other to gain their own interests.Mr Parwana said that Mr Raziuddin Rizvi, the member of GB Legislative Assembly and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, has termed the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan even worse than the held Kashmir. This shows which direction Pakistani rulers are leading the region to.

He said the situation in Giglit-Baltistan cannot be compared with that in Balochistan as the latter is an integral part of Pakistan while Gilgit-Baltistan was neither its constitutional nor legal part of Pakistan but is under its administrative control on temporary basis. Therefore, Pakistani rulers should be careful and give an impression to the world through its acts that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are happy under the temporary control of Islamabad.He said if human rights violations continued in Gilgit-Baltistan, a perception would develop that Pakistan's signing of international treaties on human rights was just a deceit.

He said that allegations against the security forces were not based on any hearsay, prejudice and hatred but had been proved. It is also a fact that security forces have failed to maintain peace in the region and even FC and Rangers have been involved in torturing citizens. If security forces who have been deployed to protect the life and property of the masses start harassing the very masses what would be the reaction of the people? Of course, they would demand their withdrawal, Mr Parwana added.

Manzoor Hussain Parwana

Chairman

GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: The worst human rights condition

2010-10-10T04:48:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Humane rights violation condemned

2010-10-05T01:21:00.001-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Nationalists rejected Puppet CM's Blame

2010-09-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement Asks Pakistan to Disclose Information on Chinese Activities in Gilgit Baltistan

2010-09-08T01:06:00.000-07:00

THE PRESS RELEASE

Skardu : 8th September, 2010

“Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement demands that Pakistan must immediately disclose information about Chinese activities in Gilgit Baltistan, as well as the details of the projects and bi-lateral agreements which have enabled China to exploit natural resources of the region without the consent of the natives”. The chairperson of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement, Manzoor Hussain
Parwana stated these words during a press conference in Skardu, Baltistan. He also demanded from Pakistan to disclose the details of Sino-Pak border agreement of 1963, by which Pakistan hand over 19,360 square kilometers of Gilgit Baltistan to China. He said, “Pakistan gifted to China large tracks of Aghil, Shimshal, Raskam and Shaksgam valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The press conference was called to discuss contents of articles published in New York Times, Economist and Guardian discussing Chinese presence in Gilgit Baltistan. He said, “The reports are creating political uncertainty and fear among the natives".The recent reports also remind us of
the great game, which the Russian, Chinese and British Empires orchestrated in the Karakoram and Himalayan mountains to gain global supremacy in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Any new effort by Pakistan to hand over Gilgit Baltistan to China will be dealt with great opposition.”

He said, “It may be true that strategic location of Gilgit Baltistan is attracting attention of global powers, however, the interests and rights of the natives can not be sacrificed to accommodate such aspirations. Pakistan and China’s unwarranted activities in Gilgit-Baltistan is causing instability and may as well threaten the wellbeing of the natives in the long run.”

He feared that growing Sino-Pak friendship will come at the cost of denying the right of self determination for the natives of Gilgit-Baltistan and depriving them of an independent country of their own. Manzoor requested the citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan to unify to achieve liberty, without becoming a pawn, which serve the interests of neighboring countries.

Issued by
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com

GILGIT BALTISTAN:Security of the region handed over to local Scouts and Police

2010-09-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

Target Killing in Gilgit Baltistan a conspiracy to stop public revolution.

2010-09-03T04:09:00.000-07:00

During a press conference in Skardu on August 31, 2010, Manzoor Hussain Parwana, the Chairperson of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement expressed concern over unabated targeted killing of innocent natives of Gilgit-Baltistan. He blamed Pakistani security forces and intelligence agency personnel for their direct involvement in promoting instability in the region, which is part of the former Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir and remains under Pakistan’s occupation since 1947.
He said, “The death of four innocent residents of Gilgit city in the last week of August and destruction to six houses shows failure of so-called "province-like" administrative body in controlling the mayhem and providing security to the natives. Pakistani security agencies use such incidents as a tool to divert attention from degrading economy, the constitutional impasse as well as the destruction from the recent flashfloods. However, rampant joblessness and back-breaking expensive commodities will eventually force the people to come on the streets and rebel against the occupying forces.”
He reminded that even though the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has requested Islamabad to transfer control of the para-military to Gilgit; however, this will still not solve the chronic political problems. He said, “The only viable solution is immediate and complete withdrawal of Pakistani security forces and illegal settlers from the region. As target killing was introduced only after Pakistan stationed her troops in Gilgit-Baltistan in 1947; the issue will also resolve with Pakistan’s withdrawal.”
He condemned the security forces for harassing the natives and subjecting them to body searches at numerous military check posts established in the city. He said, “While the security forces disrupt normal pace of life in Gilgit-Baltistan, they provide ample opportunities to the terrorists to orchestrate target killing and escape without any resistance.”
He said that the patrons of these terrorists, found among the ranks of Pakistani bureaucrats and military officials, play the well-rehearsed colonial game of divide and rule to weaken the natives in their demands for self determination. He opined that the so-called empowerment package has enabled such Pakistani officials to tighten their grip over the land and resources of Gilgit-Baltistan. He appealed to the natives to unify to regain control over local natural resources rather than relying on Pakistani handouts.
Press Release
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairperson, Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM)
Skardo, Gilgit-Baltistan
September 3, 2010

Gilgit Baltistan:Target killing is a conspiracy against public revolution

2010-08-30T23:50:00.001-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement: Appeal for Funds for Flood Victims of Gilgit Baltistan

2010-08-21T00:29:00.002-07:00

Indian Aid for Relief Victims Must be Shared with People of Gilgit Baltistan
Kargil-Skardo and Astore-Srinagar Road Should be Opened Immediately to Provide Relief

International community is requested to play greater role in providing relief to the flood victims of Gilgit Baltistan (GB). The region is cut off from rest of the world for the last twenty days due to flashfloods and landslides. Commodity and food prices have skyrocketed and causing famine like situation. Many villages have been flattened. Lack of medicines have caused endemic diseases to impact large parts of the region. Manzoor Parwana, the Chairman of GBUM said, "GB is a disputed territory under Pakistani occupation. The people of GB have no hope from Pakistani government since the country itself is in crisis and the regime lacks the capacity and the will to provide for the millions of flood victims in rest of the country. While the rulers look towards the international community for help, the relief is coming at much slower pace due to lack of credibility of the Pakistani authorities, who embezzled billions of rupees of relief funds during the 2005 earthquake in Pakistani occupied Kashmir. Given the circumstances, international community and especially neighboring countries of GB have to enhance their direct influence in the relief work."

Parwana said that the current puppet government of GB has failed to repair the road network. Every village is cut off from the rest and no relief has reached the affectees. Government has resorted to releasing statements in the newspapers and make false claims of improvement in the conditions of the natives. He further said that with the closure of Karakoram Highway, Gilgit-Skardu Road, Ghizer-Chitral road, and Hunza-China section of KKH, the prices of food items have increased. Food items, kerosene oil and gasoline are not available in the markets. The problems will continue to increase as the situation worsens. Pakistani helicopters are only working to evacuate the foreigners and military officials and related loved ones, and have failed to service the poor natives. This is sheer discrimination towards the people of GB.

Manzoor further said, "Pakistan has conspired to disrupt traffic on the Kargil Skardu road and Astore-Gurez road for all these years. Further, creation of Ataabad Lake has obstructed traffic to China for the coming months. Under these circumstances, government must make immediate effort to open the Kargil Skardo road to provide relief to the affected people of Skardu district, Shigar district, Gangche district, Kharmang district, Astore district and Deosai-Gultari district. In the same manner, Ishkoman road to Tajikistan and Wakhan should be open to benefit the people of Ghizer district. The road from Astore to Srinagar must be used immediately to supply food and ration to the poor two million people of the region. In this great time of need, the people of GB expect neighbors to play greater role in rehabilitation." Press Release

Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (Skardu Office)
August 18, 2010

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement: Appeal for Funds for Flood Victims of Gilgit Baltistan

2010-08-21T00:29:00.001-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement: Appeal for Funds for Flood Victims of Gilgit Baltistan

2010-08-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan :Flood victims sought Internationalcommunity support

2010-08-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan:Separate flag, national anthem our right

2010-06-07T03:35:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Like Azad Kashmir, it is the right of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to have their own separate flag and national anthem.This was stated by Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Chairman Manzoor Hussain Parwana in a press statement issued here.He said the recent visit by AJK president and prime minister to the Attabad calamity area was a good omen for the future political landscape of the region. He said GB was party to the issue of Kashmir and it should be given the status of a state and like AJK it should have its own president, prime minister besides a national flag and anthem.
Mr Parwana further said people of the region should support the nationalist parties in order to gain all the political rights so far denied to them. He said there should be an independent and powerful assembly chosen by the local which should take part in the consultative meeting on the issue of Kashmir.
He also criticized the government for its failure to support the displaced people of Attabad. He said the federal government had committed criminal negligence in tackling the problem from day one while the local government in GB was now trying to hide its inefficiency in dealing with the crisis. As a result, he added, the people of the area were suffering untold miseries and there was no plan on part of the rulers to tackle the crisis and rehabilitate the people.

Gilgit Baltistan : Nationalist demanded Separate national Flag

2010-06-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Land slide hit Kharmang Skardu

2010-06-04T03:35:00.000-07:00

The Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of 8 peoples due to deadly land slide in Kharmang Valley of Skardu .In a message, he wished speedy recovery to those injured.

According to Awaz Trust sources eight people including five women have been killed and more than 10 serious injured in a landslide here in Kharmang on Friday.
The land slide occurred in Mominpa village of Kharmang Skardu killing 8 people inlcuding five women and injuring more than 10. The injured have been dispatched to Kharmang hospital. The land slide also completely destroyed 8 houses in the village.
The landslide also smashed several houses as reported by Awaz Rescue team.

Gilgit Baltistan:Leader sought International Community aids for Hunza IDPs

2010-06-03T04:58:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Prime Minister of Pakistan unwelcome in Hunza

2010-05-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

“Prime Minister of Pakistan’s visit to the disastrous area of Hunza is a publicity campaign and entertainment trip. It is a joke with the people of Hunza to inaugurate the Benazir Langar at the relief camps for the calamity hit people.”

It was stated by Manzoor Hussain Parwana Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement in a press statement condemning the fruitless visit of Pakistan CM to Attaabad Hunza.

Parwana said that the visit of CM rubbed salt into the wounds of the affectees so the people chanted slogan against the policies of government and shown unsatisfactory over the arrangement made by the administration for them.
Parwana appealed international community to come forward to rescue the un-presented people of Gilgit Baltistan.

Issued by
GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: Hunza Disaster

2010-05-17T01:42:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan :Press Conference Announcement

2010-05-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

Date: May 13, 2010

Manzoor Hussain Parwana ,Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) is holding a press conference regarding “Hunza Attaabad Disaster “at Karachi Press Club on Monday 17 May ,2010 at 3:00 pm .

Your are hereby requested to attend the Press Conference to coverage the critical situation of Gilgit Baltistan.

Regards

Secretary Information
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement

Gilgit Baltistan : The disaster ahead

2010-05-12T23:09:00.001-07:00

The latest update of today tells that Ata Abad’s devil lake in Hunza has risen more than 320 feet high and 18 kms upstream with an approximate volume of 1.2 million acre feet water. There is about 45 feet height left or overtopping of water. FWO has excavated only about 43 feet deep spillway in four months period. Initially in winter season water was rising at the rate of 1.4 feet per day which has now risen to 4.5 – 5 feet per day. Every day water intake is increasing. 20 kms of KKH along with its longest bridge have already submerged. After submerging the village of Ayeenabad, Shishkat village’s lower half has also drowned in water. The rest of the village is cut off from both sides with only access by boat. Dam has now hit Gulmit, Ghulkin and Hussani villages’ low laying areas. In the next few days Gulmit bazaar’s 120 shops, 38 houses, one community centre, thousands of kanals of lands and domesticated plants along with 5 kilometer of the
strategic Karakoram Highway and 3 bridges, the largest hotel (Silk Route Lodge) will be under water. This will cut KKH at the point Ghulkin Glacier snout disconnecting Gulmit and Ghulkin villages from rest of the world as these villages are already disconnected from downstream.

Now the situation has come to the alarming point where sudden outburst of dam within days is immanent and the entire downstream valley as long as Tarbela is at the verge of flood causing losses of billions of rupees. Karakorum Highway the only lifeline is facing numerous massive washouts and bridge collapses and will remain so for months if not years. The magnitude of the disaster can be imagined from the reportedly expected height of the torrent tide that may be somewhere between 100 and 300 feet high.

According to the experts’ reports, the torrent may directly destroy 36 villages displacing some 20000 people. Houses, hard worked terraced fields, orchards, whitewood plantation and standing crops will be smashed to debris in these villages. The extent of affect is entire Gilgit Baltistan and Kohistan on Indus River. Ahmad abad will be the first village to be hit by flood. Water will overtop and break down eight bridges on KKH besides many other bridges linking other valleys and villages with KKH. It will damage Karakorum University campus. Flood will block Gilgit River for about 14 hours. As a result, water will enter Chinar Bagh assembly hall.

As far as the state of crisis management on the part of government is concerned, it has completely failed to discharge its duty as trustee/caretaker of the disputed region. This failure and criminal negligence is either intentional or is the result of typical incompetence and corruption of the Pakistani authorities.

It was possible to avoid damming up by pumping out water over the debris by installation of heavy pumps. But it was termed ‘not feasible’ by NDMA/FWO authorities. This simple technique would have;
(a) avoided water rising and
(b) removed blockade/debris through continuous erosion and river bed would have been quite low.

It is worth noting that in winter season water flow was very low in Hunza River and it could have easily been pumped out. If a mega city like Karachi can be supplied hundreds of millions of gallon by pumping why was it not possible for Hunza? Large scale pumps or boring rugs should have been installed within days after the disaster. On the other hand, China had offered to remove the blockade in twenty days which was turned down and the contract was assigned to FWO.

Until 10th May 2010, the local puppet government was stressing that there is no risk of outburst and flooding, and that PPP’s opponents are creating unnecessary hue and cry. Suddenly the Chief Minister took a U turn and came to media with reports of increasing threat. Simultaneously, local administration declared that 36 villages are at risk and that the flood would displace 20,000 people.

Foreseeing this disastrous outbreak much earlier, local people in Hunza had been demanding that fuel, ration and other essential commodities should be stocked in each village/town of Hunza-Nagar and Gilgit. Similarly local population has been demanding for timely delivery of required material of temporary steel bridges on sites of endangered bridges so that such alternate bridges could be built and line of communication should be restored without wasting time.

Such reasonable demands were ignored as ‘false propaganda of political opponents’. Now the same puppet Chief Minister and Speaker are crying after wasting the high time of emergency planning and preparation. But since there is no real role and powers resting with the so called local government, its not worth being discussed. The only role it plays is to act in the puppet stage show and hoodwink the local population as well as international community. It is now clear that the seems that the Government of Pakistan has planned to destroy the entire valley and take advantage of the calamity to beg from the world in the name of assistance.

The entire Gilgit Baltistan will face food, fuel and essential items’ shortage for at least months. Since there is no strategic stocking arrangement, there will be famine. Prices of available commodities will rocket soon. Since local agricultural products are mainly cash crops, local farmers grow wheat and other grain in very small quantities. Airlifting of all these commodities, even if arranged, is not possible for the two million populations. How an administration that has failed to provide food to the 25000 people of Gojal Hunza for four months can supply these commodities for entire Gilgit Baltistan.

The fragile mountain environment has considerably changes due to the presence of huge water body among some of the largest glaciers of the world. Unusual raining is a continued phenomenon since February this year. Large water body is source for evaporation, raining and rapid glacier melting. The sudden increase of the Hunza River upstream which has caused panic of dam outburst is the result of this deposition. This experience is also a signal against proposed construction of large dams in the region.

It is beyond one’s understanding that the story of falling down of Ata Abad village on 4th January 2010 was reported in print and electronic media as land sliding which is a route phenomenon in mountainous terrain. The real story is still being camouflaged. It was not a simple land slide but a massive eruption of a village standing on a high seemingly rugged mountain well above the Hunza River. The villagers were witnessing widening cracks and emission of heat (some hot gases?) since 2002 which they had repeatedly reported to local authorities with the request to take timely measures. No reasonable action was witnessed in the long seven years period. Surveys and evacuation reversal activities carried out by a NGO Focus Humanitarian Assistance was an exception. It was in the fitness of things to carry a thorough geological survey so that the nature and magnitude of mountain eruption should have been gauged and losses of 19 precious lives would have been
averted. If satellite surveys can identify and locate huge mineral deposits buried deep in the earth, why could that technology not be used in this case. The eruption was so powerful that the major chunk of blown landmass stroke the opposite mountain across the river and cause Hunza river to turn into the devil dam. No one knows the cause of eruption and the fate of adjacent villages that face threat of the next bow up.

It is most heartening for the local populace that the Pakistan’s print and electronic media find it no sensational to cover and to sensitize the public opinion. Those who rightly championed rule of law and independence of judiciary did not find time from opening of Burjul Khalifa and Sania-Shoaib hypes. The negligence has been so frustrating that the cable operators lodged protest by staging a token blackout of Pakistani news channels all over Gilgit Baltistan. Rare news reports were an exception. It is only after threat declaration from administration that the visible near future disaster is in the headlines.

The plight of the so far victims of disaster, such as residents of the lost village of Ata Abad and the submerged villages of Ayeenabad and Shishkat are listening only false promises. Except for the payment of death compensations of 19 villagers, and of late provision of ration to Ata Abad IDPs, no plan for their rehabilitation and settlement has been announced. They are left to see their hand made oasis cracking and sinking in the devil dam. After months of demands and protests, the government announced declaring Ata Abad and Gojal Hunza ‘calamity hit area’. Although its written notification has come after many weeks but so far no relief has reached to the calamity hit people that could prove its practical implementation. NDMA had been giving different dates for opening of dam at different times, lastly declined to identify any date calling it a “tricky question’. The conflicting statements of various government agencies about dam’s opening
and its impact downstream, is ample proof of its inability and negligence. Even the National Assembly’s recommendation to take Chinese help in January has been dishonoured. Divergent opinions of NDMA and the Ministry of Environment, is yet another example of this situation.

It is now beyond any doubt that Pakistani agencies have failed to rise to the challenge despite sub achha hay reports and they lack the necessary resources and expertise to smoothly manage the emergent disastrous situation. Therefore, the international community should immediately come forward to the rescue of the unfortunate and unrepresented region.

By
Sultan Madad
Member Execative Council
Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance

Gilgit Baltistan:The banishment of nationalist’s leaders condemned

2010-04-28T00:20:00.000-07:00

Skardu, April 29

The puppet provincial like government of Gilgit Baltistan is afraid of the freedom movement of Gilgit Baltistan. The banishment of nationalist’s leadership from Gilgit is a condemnable and shameful act of the new born government of Gilgit Baltistan.
This was sated by Manzoor Hussain Parwana chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement addressing a press conference in Skardu.

Parwana said that the colonial masters are getting more and more power after the so-called empowerment package introduced in the region. The violation of basic rights of the people has become order of the day. The live example of the lawlessness in the region is to expel the son of soils from their hometowns.

He explained that at least 11 nationalists were throw our by forced for three months from Gilgit-Baltistan in a bid to prevent a public gathering they were planning to hold in the region.

The Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) had planned to hold a public meeting in Garhi Bagh, Gilgit, to condemn the ‘Karachi Agreement’ of April 28, 1949, under which the administrative control of Gilgit Baltistan was handed over to the government of Pakistan. He Said.

The police raided hotels in Gilgit and took into custody nationalist leaders and activists belonging to AJK, whereas the rest were picked up from their residences in the town. The nationalist’s leader Shafqat Inqalabi was arrested from Gilgit and sent out for three months. He said

Manzoor Parwana urged international community to take notice the rights violation in Gilgit Baltistan and used influence to release Shafqat Inqalabi.

Detail of detainees.

Those who were banished included APNA chairman Wajahat Hasan Mirza, his younger brother Nadir Hasan Mirza, and Farooq Umar Advocate of Karakoram National Movement from GB; Raja Mazhar Advocate, Sardar Saghir, chairman JKLF (Amanullah group), Professor Abdul Razzaq Khan Khalique, spokesman APNA, Arif Shahid, secretary general National Liberation Front, Sabir Kashmiri, senior vice-chairman JKLF (Rauf Kashmiri group), human rights activists Farooq Niazi and former NSF president Mehmood Baig from AJK.

Issued by

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement

Gilgit Baltistan:PPP won polls, not hearts, General Secretary GBUM

2010-04-26T01:48:00.000-07:00

SKARDU: General Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Ghulam Shahzad Agha has said Gilgit-Baltistan is at the cross-roads of its history with a number of crises hitting the region. He said whenever the PPP comes to power it staged a number of dramas in the region and the latest one of them was the introduction of the so-called empowerment package 2009 which has widely been rejected by the masses.

He pointed out that for renaming the NWFP as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, an amendment was made to the Article 1 of the constitution of Pakistan while in the case of Gilgit-Baltistan the law was never touched. This shows the status of the package announced for Gilgit-Baltistan, he added.
Speaking at a press conference here, Agha said that in order to misappropriate the development funds, councils were formed at the village level soon after the elections 2009 in which hand picked and favorite people were included.
He said by making false promises the PPP claimed to have won the elections but failed to win the hearts of the masses in the region.
Looking at the tactics used during the elections, the people of the region are no more ready to believe what the ruling party is saying now. He said the funds of the Benazir income support program were also widely misused.
He demanded that the local bodies elections should be held without any further delay and if the government tried to delay the polls the doors of the apex court would be knocked.

Gilgit Baltistan: GBUM condemned the formation of Village Council

2010-04-25T03:08:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Corruption cause of social dis-order

2010-04-21T02:55:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Construction of Diamer Dam plan on died bodies condemned

2010-03-15T00:08:00.001-07:00

GBUM condemns state terrorism against the peaceful protestors of Chilas City, Diamer. GBUM called a public gathering in Skardu city to tribute the martyrs of Diamer Dam .On February 18, 2010, security forces shot at and killed three and injured seven innocent people of Gilgit-Baltistan who were demanding royalty and resource-loss compensation as a result of Pakistan’s decision to construct a dam in their district.

Manzoor Hussain Parwana paid tribute to the people of Diamer district and said that GBUM salutes those who received martyrdom while fighting for their just rights and guarantees that their sacrifices will not go waste. Pakistan cannot force the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to agree on the construction of the dam. Diamer dam is a disputed issue built on disputed land. Construction of the dam is a conspiracy and seen by locals as state-led ethnic extermination. In the guise of infrastructure development, Pakistan is destroying local cultural heritage, national identity, civilization, control over precious antiques, and elimination of local dwellings.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan extend their support to the residents of Diamer to fight and fail Pakistan in her endeavours to destroy land, resources and identity of the region. Diamer dam is not an issue that pertains to geographical, economic and social security of the entire Gilgit-Baltistan. Through this press release, GBUM intends to give a wake up call to the natives of Gilgit-Baltistan to unite with the people of Diamer.

The Dam is being constructed in violation of international political and water-rights laws. The Dam is being built in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is not a part of Pakistan but the dam royalty will go to Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. The inundation of several villages and valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and farmland and pastures will thus benefit the people of Pakistan. The cities of Pakistan will be electrified and illuminated from Diamer while destroying the livelihood and resource base of local people. The dam is primarily built as water storage body to provide irrigation to the deserts of Punjab in Pakistan; and the cost of destruction to farmland and pasture will be borne by the locals.

In the name of providing jobs to skilled people, thousands of Pakistanis will be settled in Diamer who will compete with locals for social services, and also cause demographic change in Pakistan’s favour.

GBUM urges the United Nations and human rights organizations to take strict action against those who killed and injured local protestors. Gilgit-Baltistan is part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and currently under illegal occupation of Pakistan. In 1948, Pakistan was directed by the United Nations to withdraw from Gilgit-Baltistan within 90 days. Pakistani continued presence in the region is a clear violation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.

GBUM reiterates that the protest against Pakistani illegal advancement will continue. The party will also approach International Court of Justice (ICJ) for due recourse.

Issued by
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairperson, Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM)
Skardu (Gilgit-Baltistan)
Date 14 March 2010

Gilgit Baltistan: Construction of Diamer Dam died bodies condemned

2010-03-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: The construction of Bhasha diamer dam will be challenge in court of international Justice

2010-03-12T01:26:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Leader welcomed to Challenge the Empowerment Package 2009 in Supreme Court.

2010-03-05T23:22:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Leader welcomed to Challenge the Empowerment Package 2009 in Supreme Court.

Skardu: 6 March 2010

Manzoor Hussain Parwana Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) has welcomed the petition of Shafqat Ali Inqalabi in Pakistan Supreme Court in which he has challenged the Empowerment and self Governance Ordinance 2009 for Gilgit Baltistan.

Manzoor Parwna said the petitioner has taken a brave step by challenging this Ordinance which aims to change the legal and constitutional position of the territory.

He said Gilgit Baltistan is not constitutional part of Pakistan and Pakistan has no right to legislate or formulate any constitutional Package to the people of the region. The establishment of de facto province of Gilgit Baltistan under the puppet Chief Minister is a shameful act of the government to strengthen the colonial control over the disputed area.

Parwana said we will provide moral political and technical support to Shafqat Inqalabi in his endeavors to seek justice for people of Gilgit Baltistan.

Issued by
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement

Bunji dam a bid to pit locals against each other

2010-03-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

The bids to pit the people of Rondu, Bunji and Haramush against each other in the name of Bunji dam will be foiled.This was stated by chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Manzoor Hussain Parwana in a press statement issued here after meeting a delegation of the Bonju dam action committee. He asked Wapda to stop the policy of double standard and provide employment to the youth of the region keeping in view the boundary disputes and geographical facts in view. Otherwise, he warned, that the construction of the dam would be stopped by force. He said according to government documents the area stretching to Brum stream belonged to Baltistan. The point where the Bonju dam was being constructed was located on the right side of the Indus River and belonged to Rondu while on the right side it was the property of Bunji.He said the Gilgit-Skardu road was located on the side of Rondu and the construction of the dam would badly affect the Rondu area. He said that to bypass the people of Rondu in the construction of the dam would be highly unjustified and intolerable.Mr Parwana also said that setting up of a checkpost by the Gilgit police for the security of the dam was beyond his comprehension. It shows that the district administration of Skardu was ignorant of its administrative limits. In other words, it can be said that the local administration was in know of the establishment of the checkpost.He said the local administration of Skardu should deploy the Skardu police in the checkpost and also seek reply from the Gilgit police for setting up the picket outside its jurisdiction. He said if the local administration did not take care of the issue, the people of the area would themselves protect their boundary.He assured the delegation that the affected people of Rondu would be fully supported in getting their grievances resolved.

iSSUED BY
GBUM

Manzoor Hussain Parwana ,addressing BNSO students in Rawalpindi

2010-01-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Parwana condemned the arrest of GB youth in Karachi

2010-01-07T02:30:00.000-08:00

Election in Gilgit Baltistan on November 12, 2009: The White Paper Issued by Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM)

2009-12-29T01:15:00.002-08:00

Gilgit-Baltistan, a region of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) currently under Pakistani occupation, is yet to see the dawn of independence and receive fundamental political and judicial rights. After 1947, when Pakistan occupied it, the region provided her the geo-strategic bridge to cement relations with China. Dependency of Pakistan on China has prolonged her occupation and refusal of re-entry into administrative, judicial and political sphere of J&K. Proclamation of the so-called ‘self-governance and empowerment presidential ordinance’ on October 26, 2009 is yet another tactic to sustain occupation and impose governor’s rule by Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan. It was the same day when rest of the world was commemorating ‘Republic Day’ or the Day of Democracy, however, in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan was taking measures to maintain status quo and tighten its grip. Subsequently, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, a parliamentarian from Gujrat district of Pakistan was appointed as the first governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and under his leadership, assembly election was held in Gilgit-Baltistan on November 12, 2009.

The white paper details election rigging which started with registration of thousands of bogus votes as part of pre-poll rigging and the process culminating with vote-purchase, arrest of contestants of opposition parties and death of nationalists to coerce voting. GBUM and other nationalists decided to participate to judge transparency of the process. Among the contestants was Chairperson of GBUM, Mr. Parwana who has rejected the entire election process. GBUM issues this white paper so international political and rights groups would know the reality and understand intentions of the occupiers of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Election monitoring NGOs like HRCP and FAFEN termed the process eyewash and heavily rigged.

It is shocking that despite requests by international unbiased and independent election monitoring teams, they were refused visit to Gilgit-Baltistan to observe the election process.

In addition to HRCP and FAFEN, political leaders of mainstream Pakistani parties have also rejected the process and outcome and condemned PPP for rigging. Those who demand re-election in Gilgit-Baltistan are Mr. Nawaz Sharif of PML-N, Ms. Marvi Memon of PML-Q, Mr. Altaf Hussain of MQM, Mr. Imran Khan of PTI, and the Amir of Jamat Islami Pakistan.

Along with Pakistani parties, the representatives of political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan, including GBDA, GBUM, KNM, BNF and BLP, also condemn rigging of election process.

Rigging started from the day when the governor appointed a non-local as the chief election commissioner without consulting other political parties. Then, deputy commissioners were declared deputy election commissioners in their respective districts and thereby making local administration a party to the whole process. Further, district judges were appointed as returning officers, which further tainted transparency. Government resources, employees, security personnel and funds from district and village councils were used to help win PPP candidates.

Beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) were bound to vote for PPP candidates or they were threatened with rejection of their forms and funds. Thousands of fake BISP cards were distributed among voters and in many cases, an advance was paid as part of BISP ‘funds’ to buy votes.

Shia-Sunni divide was exploited and PPP was projected as a Shia party to garner majority of votes. As a result, Mr. Hafiz Rehman of PMLN from GBLA-2, and Mr. Fida Nashad of PMLN from GBLA-9 lost elections due to religious and ethnic polarization.

In the entire Gilgit-Baltistan, emergency article 144 was imposed to ban political congregations and protests by the nationalists.

Government representatives threatened the nationalists by terming traitors and anti-state elements. This way, President of PPP of Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Mehdi Shah, coerced voters of Rondu against GBUM chairperson, Mr. Parwana. Voters of Chairperson of GBUM, Mr. Manzoor Parwana, were threatened of arrest if they voted for GBUM. This way thousands of voters were forced to change their decisions by security personnel at the last minute. Owing to the actions of government agencies, Mr. Parwana has filed a case in the court to challenge accusations of treason against him since he fears for his life and wellbeing of his family and the supporters.

Nationalists faced repeated threats from government employees and para-military personnel and their movement was restricted to provide ample space for PPP candidates to campaign. Many nationalists of GBUM, BNF and GBDA who participated as independents, were harassed and their electioneering was hampered in favor of PPP candidates.

Many nationalist contestants were arrested ten days before the voting day when they were preparing to commemorate Gilgit’s Independence Day on November 1, 2009. Among the arrested were Mr. Shahid Hussain, contestant from GBLA-1, Advocate Farooq of GBLA-2, and Mr. Ijlal Hussain of GBLA-3. Further, an immediate ban was imposed on GBDA and BNF after the arrests, which culminated into GBDA boycotting the election process.

Chairperson KNM, Advocate Iqbal was pressured by government agencies to withdraw his membership of KNM and abandon his party. Further, S. Haider Rizvi and Mehboob Ali of BNF were declared anti-Pakistani and thereby banned from contacting their voters. Mr. Rizvi also received threats of death from ISI in case he didn’t abandon the electioneering and membership of BNF.

In GBLA-3, independent candidate, Mr. Mehboob Ali Abbas, and MQM contestant, Captain (Retd.) Hadi, were arrested and charged under the act of terrorism, while they were protesting government-sponsored rigging.

On December 22, 2009, police fired upon political workers of BNF and Mr. Zubair, a supporter of BNF contestant, Mr. Nawaz Naji, was shot dead. Such acts of intimidation have helped PPP candidate win against Mr. Naji who was considered as a likely winner by independent sources.

Votes were purchased at anywhere between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 while notables of a constituency received bribes between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 based on their influence among voters. Such practices which didn’t occur in Gilgit-Baltistan previously are now introduced by the PPP office bearers.

In many cases, polling agents of opposition parties were abducted and during their absence, fake votes were casted in favor of PPP to ensure victory. Security personnel, police and para-military coerced polling agents to imprint signatures on final results even though they differed with the process and refused to accept the results. Many polling officers were paid money in advance to get required results.

In constituencies where anti-PPP candidates were winning, polling process was halted for up to 8 hours, while polling continued for about 18 hours at stations where PPP was winning.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Gillani, also joined local PPP leadership during campaign to ensure victory for PPP contestants. He addressed PPP rallies in Gilgit and Skardo towns and announced economic incentives for potential voters.

Despite all the packages and ordinances, majority of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan has refused to support PPP. Of total registered votes in Gilgit-Baltistan, PPP received less than 20% while more than 60% of registered voters didn’t bother to cast the votes as they considered the process eyewash and failing to meet the demands of local people, who want a genuinely autonomous political and judicial set up akin to one prevalent in AJK. When spread over the entire population of Gilgit-Baltistan, the results show that less than 7% of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan supported PPP which is very shameful for a party that has poured money and used government resources and security personnel to hijack the whole election process. Rejection of the presidential ordinance and economic incentives by 93% of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan should be an eye opener for the occupiers who continue to deceive locals with the notions of Islamic brotherhood and two-nation theory. By installing puppet regimes, Pakistan cannot legalize the occupation and it will have to vacate Gilgit-Baltistan as per the UNO resolutions which gave her 90 days to withdraw in the first place. It is not the job of Pakistani governments to manage political processes in Gilgit-Baltistan. Their job is to abide by the UNO resolutions and withdraw from Gilgit-Baltistan .

GBUM condemns election rigging, arrest of party workers, and murder of BNF supporter Mr. Zubair and declares the election immoral, unconstitutional, undemocratic, biased and lacking transparency. GBUM appeals to the UNO, the American (USA) Congress, the European Union Parliament (EUP) and other international political and human rights bodies to take serious notice of election rigging which is a hoax as two million natives of Gilgit-Baltistan have already rejected it. International community should exert diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to hold transparent and unbiased re-election under the supervision of members of international monitoring bodies. GBUM appeal that the election of November 12, 2009 should be declared void.

GBUM believes that the control of Gilgit-Baltistan by Pakistan is de facto and not de jure, which is done to extend occupation of the region and enslavement of natives of Gilgit-Baltistan. International community is requested to take serious notice of Pakistani occupation of the region and help locals attain self determination and human rights.

Released by:

Department of Information and Publication

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM)

Skardu, Baltistan

December 23, 2009
www.skardu.blogspot.com

Election in Gilgit Baltistan on November 12, 2009: The White Paper Issued by Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM)

2009-12-29T01:15:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan:GBUM's White Paper on Pre-poll rigging in election 2009 for GBLA

2009-12-27T00:40:00.000-08:00

Speech of Manzoor Parwana to public during his election compaign 2009 on 8 November 2009 at GBLA-10 Skardu-4

2009-11-24T03:45:00.000-08:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Election 2009 Compaign of GBUM

2009-11-24T03:28:00.000-08:00

GBUM to take active part in elections

2009-10-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

SKARDU:
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said his party would take active part in the forthcoming lections for the legislative assembly by bringing candidates from all the constituencies in the area.In a press release, he said his party had already invited applications from all nationalist candidates to take part in the elections. He said candidates can file their forms personally at the central secretariat of the party and their nomination would be done on merit.He said the GBUM was not a party of Chaudris and landlord but was a platform working for the poor and deprived sections of the region.He said GBUM was the party of the downtrodden and had decided to take part in the elections on the active and forceful demand and wishes of the people of the region.USE OF PHOTO: Meanwhile, the chairman of the GBUM, Mr Manzoor Parwana has strongly condemned the district council Skardu for using his photograph in an advertisement welcoming the Gilgit-Baltistan Self Rule Order 2009.He said by using his photograph, the administration had tried to create an impression that I supported the so called package of Pakistan. In fact, he added, he totally rejected the so called package which was an insult to the two million people of the region.He said it was tantamount to personal character assassination and he would challenge the move in the court of law.

GBUM seeks applications for upcoming election of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly

2009-09-29T22:49:00.000-07:00

Skardu:
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) while announcing to participate in the election of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly has sought applications from the party workers for election 2009 in Gilgit Baltistan.
GBUM Chairman Manzoor Hussain Parwana expressed these views in a press conference here in GBUM Central Secretariat on Wednesday.
He said that PPP has planed pre-poll rigging for the election by imposing governor rule in Gilgit Baltistan. It is not expected a fair and transparent election but "we are ready to accept the challenges of forth coming election".

Secretary Information

GBUM
Skardu
30/09/2009

Gilgit Baltistan: GBUM”s clarification in regards of Advertisement

2009-09-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

ADVERTISMENT PUBLISHED IN NEWS PAPER ON 15 SEPTEMBER 2009

Gilgit Baltistan :Imposed Governor rule on the day of democracy

2009-09-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Gilgit-Baltistan: GBUM Calls for Self-Rule Under UN Resolution

2009-09-17T00:56:00.000-07:00

Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement while rejecting the new package demanded that an independent and autonomous legislative assembly for Gilgit-Baltistan should be formed with the installation of local authoritative government as per the UNCIP resolutions, where the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will elect their president and the prime minister.
READ DETAIL ARTICLE AT
http://www.unpo.org/content/view/10031/254/

GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: Package reversed the history of slavery

2009-09-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

GBUM- PRESS CONFERENCE AT KARACHI PRESS CLUB

2009-09-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Self Governance Ordinance designed to defuse nationalist’s momentum for Independence

2009-09-04T01:09:00.000-07:00

Press Conference
Venue: Karachi Press Club
Subject: Gilgit Baltistan: Self Governance Ordinance designed to defuse nationalist’s momentum for Independence

Respected Journalists!

I would like to draw your attention to the strategically located regions of the South Asia which is disputed between India and Pakistan and the world knows it by the term ‘the last colony of the 21st century’. The region is called Gilgit-Baltistan and is surrounded by four nuclear powers; Pakistan, India, China and Russia. Before Pakistan occupied it, the region remained as an independent entity for thousands of years and boasts its own culture, language, traditions and political system. In 1947, the locals freed themselves from the despotic Dogra rulers of Jammu & Kashmir and established the Gilgit Republic. On April 28, 1949, Pakistani government signed an agreement with the leaders of J&K Muslim Conference, called the Karachi Agreement of 1949, which enabled Pakistan to acquire administrative control of these regions. Since then the natives of Gilgit-Baltistan are treated like slaves and Pakistan has violated UNO Resolutions on J&K by occupying these regions.

There is no document to prove that Gilgit-Baltistan desired merging with Pakistan. If it was true, then locals of Gilgit-Baltistan would have had enjoyed constitutional rights under article 1 of the Pakistani constitution rather being ruled through a presidential ordinance for the last 63 years. When the Karachi Agreement of 1949 linked Gilgit-Baltistan with AJK, it should have been made part of it. Instead, these regions are governed by a KANA Division Minister who hails from Punjab or NWFP and imposes his will upon the locals like a viceroy. Pakistani government does not stop from talking and demanding freedom for Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine, but they have kept people of Gilgit-Baltistan enslaved for the last 63 years. By not granting genuine autonomy, the locals are deprived of rights which others enjoy in Pakistan.

On August 29, 2009, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Yusuf Gillani signed a Presidential Ordinance called “Empowerment and Self-governance Ordinance 2009 for Gilgit-Baltistan”. The ordinance will pave way to incept governor’s rule through Pakistan’s colonial system. This reform package is a hoax and the two million inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan condemn it by calling ‘The Ordinance for Advancement of Slavery’. This ordinance has been rejected by political circles and concerned authorities of AJK and Indian Jammu & Kashmir. Further, Pakistani political parties including Pakistan Muslim League has rejected the ordinance as unilateral decision of Pakistan Peoples Party and harmful for the Kashmir movement. All these circles have reiterated that Gilgit-Baltistan is part of Jammu & Kashmir and as long as Jammu & Kashmir issue is not solved, Pakistan can not annex these regions through a presidential ordinance and by imposing governor’s rule. The ordinance violates Pakistan’s constitution since Gilgit Baltistan is not part of Pakistan and also, the federal cabinet which approved the package, are not citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan but Pakistanis. Pakistani cabinet is not a legal authority to make decisions on Gilgit-Baltistan as Gilgit-Baltistan does not fall under the jurisdiction of the federal cabinet. This ordinance is not only illegal and immoral; it does not fulfill the genuine political and judicial needs of the local people who want nothing but complete autonomy as per UNCIP resolutions and not a governor’s rule.

As per Pakistani constitution, the president of Pakistan is not a representative of the people of Gilgit Baltistan, hence this ordinance is illegal. We fear that the governor will be an absolute authority who will enjoy a status similar to that of the current chairman of NALA. He will control the local legislature and the council. Hence constitutional rights of local people will be unsafe in his presence. The UNCIP resolutions on J&K demand of Pakistan to place a ‘local authoritative government’ in Gilgit Baltistan but this ordinance will create a province like structure with Pakistani governor overseeing the locals. It is not an alternative to what UNCIP has prescribed for Gilgit-Baltistan. The word ‘self rule’ in the ordinance is just there to confuse the world and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. The governor’s rule is created to defuse the nationalist movements in Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to the Empowerment and Self-Rule Order 2009 the provincial like set up will be given to Gilgit Baltistan.The governor will be the constitutional head and executive authority of the region who will be utilizing his powers through the chief minister and the cabinet The governor of the region will be appointed by the President of Pakistan .The post of the governor can also be handed over to the federal minister for Gilgit Baltistan while the prime minister of Pakistan will be the head of the council. The chief minister will be the head of Gilgit Baltistan Assembly. The selection of the cabinet of Gilgit-Baltistan will be done by the governor instead of the chief minister. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly however, cannot discuss or legislate on issues relating to defence, foreign affairs, finance, security and interior.

The law officer of the government will be called advocate general who will be appointed by the governor. The Gilgit-Baltistan Council will consist of 15 members including six members recommended by the president, prime minister of Pakistan and the governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and six members proposed by the chief minister and legislative assembly of the region. The chairman of the council will be the prime minister of Pakistan, while governor of Gilgit-Baltistan will be its vice-president. The legislative assembly will consist of 33 members out of whom 24 will be elected directly; six women members will be selected by the house, while there will be three technocrat members. The assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan will have no power to legislate against the principles of Sharia and in case of any confusion it can approach the Islamic Ideology Council of Pakistan.. The region will have a supreme appellate court which will hear appeals against verdicts of all subordinate courts in the area. The court will consist of one chief judge and two other judges.

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement as representatives of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan disapproves this ordinance. In order to grant political and judicial rights to locals, we demand that:

1. After abolishing Gilgit-Baltistan Presidential Ordinance for Empowerment and Self-governance, 2009, an independent and autonomous legislative assembly for Gilgit-Baltistan should be incepted and local authoritative government should be placed as per the UNCIP resolutions, where the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will elect their president and the prime minister
2. All administrative affairs should be delegated to the local authoritative government.
3. In order to ensure autonomy, all Pakistani civil personnel should be withdrawn from Gilgit-Baltistan and replaced with local administration. The State Subject Rule should be reinstating with immediate effect.
4. To ensure peace in Gilgit-Baltistan, the right of speech should be respected. Further, all Pakistani para-military personnel including those of frontier constabulary, Chitral scouts, Pak Rangers and Khyber rifles should be withdrawn from Gilgit-Baltistan. Further illegal involvement of Pakistani agencies in the local affairs should be stopped.
5. All historical trade and tourist routes between Kargil and Skardo, Chorbat and Nubra, Gultari and Drass, Guraiz and Astore, Ishkomen and Tajikistan should be opened to improve livelihoods of locals as well as allowing divided family members to reunite on humanitarian basis.

Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman,
Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement
September 3, 2009

Press Conference : Chairman Gilgit Baltistan UNited Movement

2009-09-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Provincial like set up rejected

2009-08-29T04:50:00.000-07:00

“The so-called provincial like set up is fraudulent and blackmailing offers of the government which aimed to conceal the political atrocities and brutal colonial control on the people in the occupied region”. This was stated by Manzoor Hussain Parwana Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement reacting over the "Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009", recently announced by the government of Pakistan to Gilgit Baltistan.

The government of Pakistan’s empowerment package granted to the people of Gilgit Baltistan is illegal and holds no ground at all because Gilgit Baltistan does not fall under the constitution of Pakistan. The people of Gilgit Baltistan rejected the cosmetic package to the region because it is not alternative of “our Independence”. He opined.

Parwana said that the tactics of government of Pakistan are meant to buy time and secrete violations of human and political rights. We demanded for an “Independent Constitutional Assembly” until the resolution of Kashmir dispute but we were cheated once again on the name of “self autonomy”.
He said.

Under the newly announced empowerment order, the existing Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA) will be given the status of provincial like set up with powers to make its own annual budget and development plan, which earlier was in the Musharaf’s package. The post of Chairman, who is an official appointed by Islamabad and who calls the ruler of the region, has been renamed the Governor of the province. The post of the chief executive has been upgraded to chief minister. The existing NALA’s advisors renamed ministers.

He said the government did not take the stakeholder on board to formulate the packages and imposed an unconstitutional act while the people are expecting and demanding Azad Kashmir Like set up, to run the region in the light of UNCIP resolutions as an independent state ,having it own constitutional assembly, president, prime minister, judiciary and national identity .

Issued by

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
Dated: 29 August 2009

Gilgit Baltistan: Proposal of Pakistani Think Tank Rejected

2009-08-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

SKARDU: The proposal of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) to make Gilgit-Baltistan a province of Pakistan is farce, impracticable and will never be accepted by the people of the region. This was stated by chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana while reacting to the proposal by the NGO recently.He said the proposal coming from the intellectuals of Pakistan was tantamount to distorting facts about the issue because how an area which was not even part of Pakistan can be made its province. He said Pakistan cannot amend Article 1 of the constitution of 1973 to make Gilgit-Baltistan its province because Gilgit-Baltistan has no representation in the parliament of Pakistan, nor the parliament has the right to legislate on the region. If it is possible under the constitution, it would be taken as a ploy to perpetuate Pakistan's rule in the region, Mr Parwana maintained. He said at present the rulers of Pakistan were not even in a position to bring changes to the wrongs done to the constitution by former dictators and to amend the law for the sake of Gilgit-Blatistan would cerate more complications for the country. He said if the National Assembly wanted to bring the region under the control of Pakistan it cannot do so because it was not under the jurisdiction of the house. Had it the power to do so, then it must do the same to bring the regions of Kargil and Ladakh into Pakistan's control, so that the issue of Kashmir is resolved for good. He said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had no intention to acceded to Pakistan because their forefathers had no entered in such an agreement with Pakistan. He said people must understand that in 1947, the people of the region had formed a state of their own after kicking out the Dogras which was later abolished in the name of the Kashmir issue and the region is still attached to Kashmir dispute. As the issue of Kashmir is to be resolved, so is the issue of Gilgit-Baltistan, he added.The GBUM chief said if the intellectuals of Pakistan cannot raise voice for the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, they should not create confusion about the rights of the local people by presenting unworkable solution to the international issue.

Gilgit Baltistan: Leader asked to withdraw Rangers from the region

2009-08-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Nationalist activists booked in skardu

2009-07-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

The civil administration has imposed section 144 in Skardu and instructed the secret agencies to arrest the students and sympathieser of Baltistan Students Federation from other cities of Pakistan whom have intention to visit Skardu to attend the convention of BSF on 18 July 2009.
Skardu Police has registered FIR against 16 nationalist activists under the sections 186,149,506,447,357 of Pakistan Penel Code.
The police arrested Syed Hyder Shah Rizvi (Vice President Balawaristan National Front) ,Shulam Shehzad Agha (Secretary General Gilgit Baltistan United Movement) ,Haji Inayat Ali (senior citizen) including the workers of BSF Hassnain ,Muhammad Sabir,Muhammad Ashraf,Amjad Ali,Sakhawat ,Asif, Ashaq,Feroz ,Abbas and Ismail .
The city was completely shot down yesterday on the call of Baltistan Students Federation against the heinous and brutal action of city police. Skardu police is also searching the others nominated activists and raided several spot and homes in the city to arrest the remaining accused.
According to the reports Baltistan Students Federation is going to held annual central convention in Skardu on 18 July 2009,.
The tense in the city was raised on 13 July 2009 when Executive Engineer NAPWD Muhammad Rasheed has tore the invitation letter of BSF in front of the students .The students protested against the misbehavior of Muhammad Rasheed and at the end of peaceful rally police has arrested the activists.

Manzoor Hussain Parwana Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement has strongly condemned the arrest and calls the civil administration to release the activist.
Parwana blamed that the non-local civil administration wants to shift the sectarianism and regionalism in Baltistan after sabotaging the peace of Gilgit City.
The non local civil administration of skardu in responsible to create tense in the city

Press Release
GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: Police arrested political leader

2009-07-14T04:06:00.000-07:00

Skardu:14 July 2009
Skardu Police today has arrested Ghulam Shehzad Agha along with 8 other political activists of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement and Baltistan Students Federation.
Baltistan Students Federation is going to held her annual central convention in Skardu on 18 July 2009, but the administration is not allowing to held the scheduled convention is Skardu. The tense in the city was raised yesterday on 13 July when Execative Engineer NAPWD Muhammad Rasheed has tored the invitation letter of BSF in front of the students .The students arranged protest rally againts Muhammad Rasheed today. At the end of peaceful rally police has arrested the secretary General GBUM Shazzad Agha including with other 8 students.
Manzoor Hussain Parwana Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement has strongly condemned the arrest and call the officals to release the activists immediately.
Parwana said unfortunatly in the goverment of PPP such incidents occured in the sity which is the double standard democatical system of the government.

Issued by
GBUM

Gilgit Baltistan: The worst security situation

2009-07-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

Giligt Baltistan: Where the 3rd World War will be over ?

2009-07-08T23:54:00.001-07:00

Gilgit -Baltistan is a remarkable strategic crossroad region of the world, with 28,000 square miles of area situated in the midst of four nuclear powers. This noteworthy constituency between China, Pakistan, Central Asian Republics and India is also known as “Where the empires meet” or “Where the powers meet”. The three highest mountain ranges of the world i.e. Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalaya also join hands here. This region is the focus of attention of tourists and adventurers, world over, extensively rich in mineral wealth and immense natural resources.

According to the analysts "The Third World War will be over fresh water". Glaciers, rivers and streams of Karakorum, Hamalaya and Hindukush are the second big source of fresh water in the world. In order to win the war over fresh water in the near future USA has fixed her eyes over Deosai Plateau.

The Deosai Plateau, known as the highest plateau in the world is located at the boundary of the Karakoram and the western Himalayas. Deosai Plains are at about 30 kilometres from Skardu at an average elevation of 3500 metre.
It is a beautiful summer pasture with greenery and countless species of Fiona flora. The view of the Karakorum Range from the top of the 4785 meter pass is legendary. Apart from fairies, this plateau is the habitat of the greatly threatened Himalayan Brown Bear and many other wild animals.
Due to its geographical and defensive importance, USA and UK has often asked Pakistan to let them use these plains for their military purposes, but this is delayed or refused by the Pakistani Government due to the opposition and resistance of the local population. USA can raise the agenda of protecting fresh water from atomic explosion, chemical pollution and Talibanisation to take control of the entire region.USA also needs air base surrounding the Karakuram Highway to monitor the activities of China.
Mostly it is thought that China will not tolerate the interference of USA in these areas. It is a one sided thought because the interference of USA in Gilgit-Baltistan does not affect China rather it will protect the interests of China. China is very suspicious about the growing activities of Taliban in NWPF the adjacent areas of Gilgit-Baltistan because China does not likes such activities on its border areas and if USA will engaged this area China will take a sign of relief.
To please China, America has offered concessions in the world trade market and also regarding Hong Kong. The hatred for USA by religious clerics are at its own place but if Dollar will replace Rayal and Tuman then new sermons will change the opinion of the masses.

By
Manzoor Hussain Parwana

{The writer is Editor of Monthly Magazine "Kargil International' (Banned). He is chairman of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement, a pro-independent organization in Baltistan.}

Gilgit Baltistan: Call to open old trade routes

2009-07-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

Weekly Bang-e- Sahar 5 July 2009
SKARDU: Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said closing the doors of economic development on the people of Gilgit-Baltistan is tantamount to their economic murder. He said the government of Pakistan should take immediate measures to open the old trade routes from Skardu to Kargil, Ishkoman to Tajikistan and Astor to Srinagar.
He said at present Karakoram Highway was the only route of economic activity between China and Pakistan but areas near to this vital highway have been hit by the wave of terrorism and there was a danger that the KKH may also be hit by terrorists.
He said if an operation is launched against terrorists near the KKH the highway would remain closed bringing the wheel of economic activity in the whole region to a complete halt.
Besides, the closure of the highway will cut off Gilgit-Baltistan from the outside world. Therefore, the government should open all other routes connecting the region with the neighboring countries.
Parwana also said that the current ban on import of edible items from China should be lifted so that wheat and other essential items could be imported from China to end the shortage of the commodity in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Gilgit Baltistan:Opening of trade routes boost economy

2009-07-04T04:34:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan: Response To Pakistan's Lack Of Collaboration

2009-06-30T02:11:00.000-07:00

Gilgit Baltistan :UNPO
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement addressed Pakistan’s lack of collaboration in granting local administration to the area people of the region, after withdrawing its military and civilian personnel in accordance with the resolution of the United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan.
Rear the full story from UNPO Website

http://www.unpo.org/content/view/9738/254/

Gilgit Baltistan: Pakistan has no right to legislate on the region

2009-06-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

SKARDU: 23 June 23, 2009

The right of legislation in Gilgit-Baltistan rests with the people of the region. The government of Pakistan's all steps and proposals to make laws and bring constitutional packages etc for the region are unlawful and hold no ground at all, as the region does not fall under Pakistan's constitution of 1973.This was stated by Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana while speaking at a consultative workshop titled “Gilgit-Baltistan's constitutional status and the government's constitutional package” organized by the Human Rights Advocacy Network and Sangi Development Foundation .

He said Gilgit-Baltistan is not constitutional part of Pakistan and the people of the region did not acceded to Pakistan, that is the reason the region have remained without a constitution for the last over 62 years. He said Pakistan had taken over the administrative affairs of the region under the dubious “Karachi Pact” and was supposed to hand over the local administration to the area people after withdrawing its military and civilian personnel in accordance with the resolution of the United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan. However, Pakistan failed to meet its obligations. The other obligation of Pakistan was to protect the life and property of the people of the region and this too it ahs failed so far, he claimed.

Mr Parwana said the assembly of any country formulates laws to run the affairs of the state in accordance with the wishes of the people. However, Gilgit-Baltistan is the only area which neither has representation in the National Assembly of Pakistan, Senate nor has its own assembly to formulate the laws.
The government has established a committee of secret agencies to formulate constitutional package to Gilgit Baltistan .It is enough to understand that Gilgit Baltistan is a colonized state of intelligence agencies.

He said if the government really wants to bring a package for the region it should first hold consultation with the people of the region including political leaders, nationalist parties, intellectuals, students, lawyers and others otherwise the package would be rejected.

The GBUM chief said the struggle of the nationalist parties in the region not based on any frustration, prejudice, hatred but was based on a geographical and ideological foundation. He said any political or other forces who try to sabotage the struggle of the nationalists were the enemies of the culture, traditions and history of the people of the region. Rather they are in denial of the principles and sayings of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, he added. He said that the creation of Pakistan was not aimed at depriving other nations of their rights nor Islam allowed anyone to plunder the rights of others. Therefore, the government of Pakistan should ensure all basic rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in accordance with the teachings of Islam and principles of democracy.

Issued by

Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com

Gilgit Baltistan :Consultative meeting on the constitutional status

2009-06-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

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The Sungi Developments Foundation and Human Rights Advocacy Network called a consultative meeting in Gilgit on 14 April 2009. Manzoor Hussain Parwana is participating the conference along with his nationalists collegues .