Gilgit Baltistan: A Freedom to Lost Identity

The saga of Gilgit Baltistan is no less than a wonder, after about 109 years in the occupation of the Dogra Regime, the people of this region got freedom and ended the Dogra Raj forever and turned Gilgit Baltistan from an occupied region to a free region. It is the principle of the world that when a region or territory is conquered, a state is formed, a national government is established. After legitimize the victory over the Dogras, an autonomous and independent state Gilgit Baltistan was founded on November 1, 1947. It was the third independent state after India and Pakistan in British India. The desire of the leadership here or the conspiracy of Major Brown to annex this liberated region to join Pakistan was expressed and on 16 November 1947, the Government of Pakistan sent its representative Sardar Muhammad Alam Khan to Gilgit for taking over the control of the region .As soon as Sardar Alam Khan reached Gilgit, he realized that it was very easy to govern the people here, he relieved the president of the Gilgit Provisional State and himself became the head of this independent region as a representative ( political agent ) of Pakistan. All these actions were not legalized in any way, nor did the attention of the people here go to what is going to happen to them in the near future, the people were told that the Government of Pakistan has taken over the region and changed this region from Jamuria-Gilgit to Gilgit Agency and sent its representative to manage it. The Government of Pakistan had temporarily taken over the administrative control of Gilgit Baltistan through its Political Agent. At the same time, India went to the Security Council with the Maharaja's accession letter, the Security Council warned Pakistan about interfering in the state of Hari Singh, the Government of Pakistan also appeared in the United Nations and both these countries agreed to the formation of UNCIP and the first resolution of UNCIP was passed on 13 August 1948. After the adoption of the UN resolutions, the Gilgit Baltistan's desire to accede to Pakistan was closed forever until the resolution of the Kashmir dispute because Gilgit Baltistan was a unit of Maharaja Hari Singh's state of Jammu and Kashmir, as the whole of Jammu and Kashmir became disputed. When the accession of the maharaja became legal, the accession of the subordinate Rajas automatically became null and void. Pakistan had two options. The first was to recall Sardar Muhammad Alam and recognize the Republic of Gilgit Baltistan, the second was to move forward by recognizing Gilgit Baltistan as a disputed territory. Therefore, the second option was adopted. The policy makers of the government of Pakistan thought that if we do not accept the government of Gilgit Baltistan on November 1, 1947, Gilgit Baltistan will remain controversial and the vote of the people here will also be useful to us in the form of a consensus on Kashmir. That is why the unilateral attempt to annex Gilgit Baltistan was rejected. Immediately after the UN resolutions, the government of Pakistan prioritized a strategy to strengthen its administrative hold on Gilgit Baltistan as a disputed region by designing the Karachi Agreement. After this agreement came into being, the free status of Gilgit Baltistan now turned into a disputed status. Gilgit Baltistan did not remain in the independent status of November 1, nor did the dream of accession to Pakistan come true. Gilgit Baltistan is still unrecognized today after 77 years, India-controlled Ladakh, has the status of a regular union territory , its people are represented in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but Gilgit Baltistan is neither a constitutional part of any country in the world nor have its own constitution. The fate of Gilgit Baltistan was that the region had turned from an occupied region to a free region, which became a disputed region. Gilgit Baltistan nation lost the won game and today they are forced to live without identity and sovereignty. The restoration of the autonomous and self-governing government of Gilgit Baltistan of November 1, 1947 has become inevitable. This is also consistent with UN resolutions. Moreover, no administrative set-up, executive order decree or court decision can be a substitute for the rights of self-determination and freedom of the people of Gilgit Baltistan. Manzoor Hussain Parwana The writer is a political leader and social activist of Gilgit Baltistan.

Gilgit Baltistan Land Reform Bill

GBUM Rejects Land Reform Act for Gilgit Baltistan

گلگت بلتستان یونائیٹڈ موؤمنٹ کا ایک ہنگامی اجلاس چیف آرگنائزر شبیر مایار کی صدارت میں گلگت میں منعقد ہوا جس میں گلگت بلتستان حکومت کی طرف سے لینڈ ریفارم ایکٹ کی شدید الفاظ میں مذمت کی گئی ۔ گلگت بلتستان قانون ساز اسمبلی ایک بار پھر گلگت بلتستان کی عوام کی حق ملکیت پر شب خون مارنے کی تیاری کر رہے ہیں،گلگت بلتستان کی عوام کے حق ملکیت کو ختم کرنے کے لئے لینڈ ریفارم ایکٹ کے نام سے ایک بل اسمبلی میں لائی جا رہی ہے گلگت بلتستان یونائیٹڈ موؤمنٹ بل کو مسترد کرتی ہے کیونکہ اس بل کے اندر کالا ناگ چھپا ہوا ہے جو عوام کو ان کی ملکیتی زمینوں سے محروم کرے گی ۔۔ بلتستان متنازعہ ریاست جموں و کشمیر کا حصہ ہے، جب تک اس خطے کی اپنی کوئی آئین نہیں بنتی یہاں اسٹیٹ سبجیکٹ رولز موجود ہے اور تنازعہ کشمیر کے حل تک رہے گی، سٹیٹ سبجیکٹ رولز کے مطابق گلگت بلتستان کی تمام بنجر اراضی، جنگلات و معدنیات و چرا گاہیں عوام کی ملکیت ہے جسے ریاست نے یہاں کے عوام کے درمیان حد بندی کر کے ان تمام زمینوں کی عوام کو مالکانہ حقوق دئیے گئے ہیں،گھاس چرائی کا معاوضہ بھی ریاست ہر علاقے کے عوام سے مالیہ کی صورت میں وصول کر چکی ہے، اور سرکاری کاغذات میں اندراج بھی ہوئی ہیں، حکومت کی طرف سے لینڈ ریفامز لا کر خالصہ سرکار کی جگہ گورنمنٹ لینڈ کا اندراج , یہاں کے باشندوں کو ان کی ۔ملکیتی شاملات ، شاملات دیہہ اور چراگاہ اور جنگلات سے محروم کرنا ہے لینڈ ریفارم ایکٹ نافذ ہونے کی صورت میں۔زمینوں پر تنازعہ گلی محلے سے شروع ہوگی۔ چراگا ہ, پہاڑ ,معدنیات , چراگاہیں,جنگلات اور داس حکومت کے قبضے میں چلی جائے گی۔ ریاستی باشندے ایک ایک انچ زمین کو ترسے گی اور غیر ریاستی باشندے گلگت بلتستان کی زمینوں کے مالک بن جائیں گے۔ گلگت بلتستان یونائیٹڈ موؤمنٹ ، ایک قومی جماعت ہے جو گلگت بلتستان کی قوم کے خلاف کسی بھی حکومتی فیصلے کو قبول نہیں کرے گی ۔۔ عوام ممبران اسمبلی کے دھوکے میں نہ آئیں ، لینڈ ریفارم ایکٹ گلگت بلتستان کے لیے تباہ کن ہوگا کیونکہ اس کے ذریعے گلگت بلتستان کو تقسیم کرنے کی بھی کوشش کی گئی ہے کیونکہ یہ لینڈ ریفارم ایکٹ صرف سکردو ، گلگت اور استور پر اطلاق ہوگا ، باقی اضلاع پر اس کاکوئی اثر نہیں ہوگا ، جاری کردہ گلگت بلتستان یونائیٹڈ موؤمنٹ ، گلگت

The declaration of State Land deprived Gilgit Baltistan People from their Owned Land

A few days ago, the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan in one of its decision has declared Sarfa Ranga (Cold Desert) Shigar Skardu as state land. This decision is the biggest development so far on the terme” Khalsa Sarkar” in Gilgit Baltistan. The government declared this publicly owned grazing land as Khalsa Sarkar and allotted few kanals land to the refugees in 1997. Sarfa Ranga is a test case for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, if the court decision implemented at Sarfa Ranga it will become a precedent for whole Gilgit Baltsitan . The Gilgit Baltistan people will be deprived of their owned lands. The Khalsa Sarkar is used in revenue for grazing yard, forest, agriculture land, Shamilat etc. Gilgit-Baltistan is a disputed region. The state of this region is yet to be not determined. In such a situation, the state subject rules of the State of Jammu and Kashmir are in force in the region up to the peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute. This court decision will lead to change the demography of the region it will sabotage the principle stance on Kashmir dispute. Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement considers that Sarfa Ranga is the property of its residents and inhabitants since thousand years .How a court decision can change the real ownership of indigenous people on Sarfa Ranga . We appeal the honorable court to set aside her decision in long interest of the residents of Gilgit Baltistan. GBUM is stand with the people of Shigar Skardu and support their demands. Issued Gilgit Baltistan United Movement

Misuse of Anti-Terrorism Laws in Gilgit Baltistan

Misuse of Anti-Terrorism Laws in Gilgit Baltistan The government of Pakistan is enacting the Anti-Terrorism Act 1976 to take action against terrorists and banned organizations in Pakistan, but the government has been misusing this law against nationalist political leaders and human rights and social media activists of Gilgit Baltistan since June 21, 2018. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has confirmed in its report 2020 that the government of Pakistan is misusing the Anti-Terrorism Act to harass political and human rights activists in Gilgit Baltistan. There are 36 persons placed in the proscribed person list, the majority of them are political and social activists raising voice for the rights of Gilgit Baltistan. For the last six years, government secret agencies have also been negotiating with various people to remove their names from Schedule IV.Many people have been withdrawn from the Schedule Forth after a secret deal and a pledge was taken from them that they will not do any kind of politics on the national issues of Gilgit Baltistan and will live a life of anonymity. The imposing of ATA Schedule IV on peaceful political workers and social media activists contradict the provisions of the Geneva Convention and the Constitution of Pakistan, which allegedly deprive people of the right to vote, the right to organize, the right to expression, the right to employment and the right to freedom. The prominent political leaders and right activists are still being placed on Schedule fourh to suppress their leadership skills by weakening them economically and keeping them away from the struggle for people's rights. The Chairman and Chief Organizer of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement are among them, who are constantly being placed in schedule forth to suppress their struggle for the rights of the enslaved people of Gilgit Baltistan . All the persons included in schedule four have had their bank accounts frozen, identity cards blocked and passports confiscated and their political activities banned. They are not allowed to run business or services. Their families are badly suffering and children are being force to left the schools. The Anti-Terrorism Law cannot be implemented in a disputed region under any circumstances constitutionally and legally, the purpose of the application of this law is only to crush the people's resistance movement against the colonial system in the disputed region. Actions against Political leaders and Social Activists by Misusing Schedule 4th Hunza: Hasnain Ramal hailing from Hunza a social media activist has been arrested on June 2021 and sent jail on posting a public issue on facebook. Earlier Ramal’s name was put on Schedule 4 of the # ATA to make ground to arrest him. He was under trail in Anti Terrorism Court last 8 years on posting political, national and basic human rights’ issues of Gilgit Baltistan on social media. SKARDU: Young lawyer and activist and leader Asif Naji, and GBUM activist Shabbir Mayar were arrested by law enforcement agencies on 7 September 2018.Both were put in schedule 4 of the Anti-Terrorist Act before arrestment. Skardu : Nationalist leader Manzoor Parwana ( Chairman GBUM) was arrested on 1st July 2021 on a post in social media against FWO ,an army construction company on illegal land grabbing and damaging public property on Juglote Skardu road. He was imprisoned then got bail from court; he is under trial in the ATA court last 4 years for justice. Kharmang : Shabbir Mayar Chief Organizer GBUM was arrested on 19th October 2023 . His arrest comes in the wake of the sealing of Central Secretariat of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement by the authorities in Skardu. The administration sealed the Central Secretariat of GBUM later arrested the chief organizer and sent jail with charged that he did not follow schedule 4th restriction. Nagar: The social media activist Yawar Abbas from Nagar, Gilgit Baltistan arrested on 22 June 2024, accused to "maintain public order." The order accuses Yawar Abbas of "instigating" the public against various institutions and had previously been placed on the controversial "Schedule 4" list. The Deputy Commissioner has decreed that Yawar Abbas be held for 30 days at Minawar Jail in Gilgit. ISSUED Muhammad Iqbal Secreatry General Gilgit Baltistan United Movement Gilgit Baltistan. References 1. https://www.newsintervention.com/pakistan-air-force-grabs-public-land-in-skardu-arrests-protesting-locals/ 2. https://pamirtimes.net/2021/06/28/hrcp-concerned-about-continuation-of-status-quo-in-Gilgit Baltistan/ 3. https://pamirtimes.net/2018/09/07/vocal-activists-asif-naji-and-shabbir-mayar-arrested-in-skardu/ 4. https://www.newsintervention.com/pogb-protests-against-the-arrest-of-shabbir-mayar-by-pak-backed-officials/#google_vignette 5. https://www.instagram.com/ibexmedianetwork/p/C8g9fHGN95o/

Gilgit Baltistan : Administration seized GBUM Secretariat in Skardu

During the 2024 UNPO General Assembly held on May 11th, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) proudly announced the official acceptance of Gilgit-Baltistan as its newest member.

https://unpo.org/gilgit-baltistan-united-movement-becomes-a-new-member-of-the-unpo/ May 12, 2024 Advocacy During the 2024 UNPO General Assembly held on May 11th, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) proudly announced the official acceptance of Gilgit-Baltistan as its newest member. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan, a region nestled in the northernmost part of Pakistan, are diverse and rich in culture, history, and traditions. Situated amidst the peaks of the Karakoram and Himalayan Mountain ranges, the inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan have developed unique lifestyles and customs shaped by their environment, religion, and historical influences. Gilgit-Baltistan is a sizable region, covering approximately 27,188 square miles (about 70,000 square kilometers). With a population of around 2.1 million people, it is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups and cultures. The region is divided into three main divisions: Chilas, Gilgit, and Baltistan. These divisions encompass a total of ten districts, each with its own unique characteristics and communities. Despite enduring the influence of various external powers since the colonial period of the British Raj to the present day, the inhabitants of this region have preserved their rich culture, civilization, history, and languages. Languages such as Shina, Burushaski, Balti, Khowar, Wakhi, and others have been maintained, representing the linguistic diversity of the region. Gilgit-Baltistan’s legal identity and constitutional status has been disputed ever since the Indo-Pakistani partition in 1947. The area is currently under the occupation of Pakistan, in violation of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolution of 28 April 1949. The occupation took place without the consent of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and, despite the UNCIP’s calls for Pakistan to withdraw its forces from the disputed area, the occupation remains to this day. For over 60 years now, the area of Gilgit-Baltistan is lacking a proper constitutional status, a working legal system and political autonomy. It was not until 2009 that Gilgit-Baltistan was granted a measure of self-governance through the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order. However, even with this empowerment order, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan continue to face marginalization and discrimination, with their voices often overlooked in the broader context of Pakistan’s governance. Unfortunately, Gilgit-Baltistan continues to face severe human rights violations under the administration of the Pakistani government. Documented abuses include economic and cultural rights violations, arbitrary arrests, political suppression, security forces abuses, privacy violations, restrictions on free expression and assembly, and discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities. These issues are compounded by harsh prison conditions, interference with freedom of movement, and severe media restrictions, further impeding the region’s socio-economic development and eroding democratic principles. Moreover, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cuts through the territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, forcing the local population to accept the terms and conditions of the development project without consultation nor compensation. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan therefore continue to live in a constitutional limbo, where the Pakistani government does not include the region in its constitution, but doesn’t give its people their right to self-determination or political representation either. The acceptance of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) into the UNPO marks a significant milestone. The UNPO looks forward to working closely with Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, supporting their efforts to protect their cultural heritage, promote human rights, and achieve their aspirations. Photo via The Friday Times. # Gilgit Baltistan, History