Day of repentance observed in Gilgit Baltistan

Day of repentance observed in Gilgit Baltistan

The pro-independent nationalist organizations, Balawaristan National Front (BNF), Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM), Karakuram National Movement (KNM), Bolor Research Forum and Boloristan Labor Party observed November 16 as “Day of repentance” in Gilgit Baltistan and raised openly slogans in support of independence from colonial control of Pakistan.
Manzoor Hussain Parwana, chairman Gilgit Baltistan United Movement said, “Our forefathers successfully rebelled against the Maharaja of Kashmir and constituted an autonomous state republic of Gilgit on 1st November 1947. This, however, later 15 days; captured by Pakistan. Unfortunately the Pakistan’s military, the negotiator of its Kashmir policy, insists that Gilgit Baltistan remain part of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir and that any delineation of the region’s constitutional status will have to wait for a solution of the Kashmir dispute. So the people of GB observe 16 November as a day of repentance because our freedom was seized on the name of Islam, Pakistan and Kashmir dispute on this day”.
“The recent empowerment package of Genral Musharraf for Gilgit Baltistan is violation of the verdict by the Pakistan Supreme Court in 1999, which directed Islamabad to provide fundamental rights to Gilgit Baltistan, allowing its people to be governed by their elected representatives.” The chairman Karakuram National Movement Iqbal Advocate added.
Mr.Burhanullah, Organizer Balawaristan National Front (BNF) cleared that “After the Musharraf’s approved LFO, the Gilgit Baltistan will be rule by un-elected and non-local Chairman fiat from Islamabad .The Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA), the region’s elected legislature, will be preside over by the chairman while the elected Chief Executive will be work as his personal assistant. In this LFO Musharraf has tried to decorate a donkey to make a hourse.”
Mr. Ehsan Ali Advocate, chairman Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) and President of Gilgit Bar Council expressed in his presiding address that “Azad Kashmir (POK), under Pakistan’s control, is considered disputed territory. Yet, Islamabad has granted autonomy to POK, including its own constitution. But Gilgit Baltistan has been left in a constitutional limbo .Nor it included in the constitution of Pakistan neither in Azad Kashmir constitutional set up. The affairs of the neglected region has been running through Legal Framework Order (LFO), a colonial instrument used to strengthen its illegal hold over the region while denying its residents basic political and civil rights”.


Issued By
Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA)
An umbrella organization of indigenous political parties of Gilgit Baltistan.