Pakistan blamed for Gilgit Baltistan's trouble

Pakistan blamed for Gilgit Baltistan's trouble

The continuation of the exploitative and colonial policies in Gilgit-Baltistan has increased the sense of frustration and anger among the people of the region.
The resolution of the NWFP assembly seeking renaming of Diamer-Basha dam as Basha; the Bhunji dam plan and unchecked looting and plundering of natural resources of the region have smashed the dream of accession of Gilgit-Baltistan with Pakistan.
These views were expressed by Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movemnet Manzoor Husain Parwana.
Commenting on the recent killing of NLI personnel in tribal areas, he said to eliminate the impression that NLI was the local army of Northern Areas, people from Punjab and NWFP were being inducted in the unit and Balti and Gilgiti youth were dispersed to different units and local NLI personnel were sent to trouble-hit areas of NWFP and Balochistan. This, he added, was like rubbing salt into the Kargil injuries of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said the new government was giving safe exit to those who sent the NLI personnel to Kargil in the disguise of mujahideen and got them killed in a large number. It is disappointing that now bodies of NLI personnel are brought home from the tribal areas, igniting the sentiment of the masses.
Parwana said though ‘Washington obedient’ rulers of Islamabad were trying to restore democracy in Pakistan but they never bothered to give basic rights to the 20 million people of Gilgit-Baltistan for the last over 60 years. No tangible steps have been taken to change the socio-economic condition of the area and the local people still remain deprived of all their basic constitutional rights. Even talking about the issues of Gilgit-Baltistan in the National Assembly of Pakistan is prohibited and the matter is termed sensitive. All these show that the people of this region have nothing to do with Pakistan.
He said looking at the socio-economic condition of Pakistan, its army’s war on terror with the people in tribal areas, the demand for representation in the National Assembly would be a suicidal decision for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have now abandoned the intention to commit suicide and started struggle for a powerful and independent assembly which was a realistic timely decision.

Press Release
GBUM