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
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Election in Gilgit Baltistan on November 12, 2009: The White Paper Issued by Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM)
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
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
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
GBUM to take active part in elections
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
GBUM seeks applications for upcoming election of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly
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 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
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: GBUM”s clarification in regards of Advertisement
ADVERTISMENT PUBLISHED IN NEWS PAPER ON 15 SEPTEMBER 2009
Gilgit-Baltistan: GBUM Calls for Self-Rule Under UN Resolution
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
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Self Governance Ordinance designed to defuse nationalist’s momentum for Independence
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
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
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Provincial like set up rejected
“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
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
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Proposal of Pakistani Think Tank Rejected
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.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Nationalist activists booked in skardu
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
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
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Police arrested political leader
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
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
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Giligt Baltistan: Where the 3rd World War will be over ?
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.}
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Call to open old trade routes
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.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Response To Pakistan's Lack Of Collaboration
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/
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Pakistan has no right to legislate on the region
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
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
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan :Consultative meeting on the constitutional status
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 .
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan :Pakistani Minister’s visit a total failure
SKARDU: June 9, 2009
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said the recent visit of federal minister of Pakistan Qamar Zaman Kaira to the region was a total failure and produced zero result. In a statement, he said before the visit of the minister, an impression was created that his coming to the area would result in revolutionary changes in the socio-economic condition of the region. However, his visit remained confined to formal opening of a campus, separate commissionerate and laying of some gutter lines.
He said the announcement to set up a separate commissionery for the region was a deceitful step as in the past too such an announcement had been made by a former prime minister. He said first of all it should be clarified that if people consider the chief secretary's setup to be the system of commissionerate, it should be understood that a chief secretary is an administrative officer of a province and to install such a post here first of all Baltistan should have to be made a separate province. As that is not possible in the present circumstances, it is better not to waste time even on discussing such a matter, he maintained.
Mr Parwana said making a demand for a campus was not a wise decision and those behind such a demand were not sincere with the region. He said if at all a campus was to be established here why not the campus of Quaid-i-Azam University, AIOU or Oxford University instead of Karakoram University.
The GBUM chief said lack of political leadership and politics self of interests and hypocrisy had kept the local people deprived of their rights and in darkness for the last many decades. However, he added that with the presence of nationalist parties, the people of the region cannot further be kept in such a situation for long. He said it was time people of the region fully supported the nationalist forces to achieve their rights.
Issued By
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said the recent visit of federal minister of Pakistan Qamar Zaman Kaira to the region was a total failure and produced zero result. In a statement, he said before the visit of the minister, an impression was created that his coming to the area would result in revolutionary changes in the socio-economic condition of the region. However, his visit remained confined to formal opening of a campus, separate commissionerate and laying of some gutter lines.
He said the announcement to set up a separate commissionery for the region was a deceitful step as in the past too such an announcement had been made by a former prime minister. He said first of all it should be clarified that if people consider the chief secretary's setup to be the system of commissionerate, it should be understood that a chief secretary is an administrative officer of a province and to install such a post here first of all Baltistan should have to be made a separate province. As that is not possible in the present circumstances, it is better not to waste time even on discussing such a matter, he maintained.
Mr Parwana said making a demand for a campus was not a wise decision and those behind such a demand were not sincere with the region. He said if at all a campus was to be established here why not the campus of Quaid-i-Azam University, AIOU or Oxford University instead of Karakoram University.
The GBUM chief said lack of political leadership and politics self of interests and hypocrisy had kept the local people deprived of their rights and in darkness for the last many decades. However, he added that with the presence of nationalist parties, the people of the region cannot further be kept in such a situation for long. He said it was time people of the region fully supported the nationalist forces to achieve their rights.
Issued By
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Terrorism can hit Gilgit-Baltistan
SKARDU: 26 May 2009
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said terrorism is not only dangerous for any religion, country or region but is also destructive for whole humanity. He said use of force was not enough to crush terrorism because its brutal use makes terrorists a kind of victim gaining them public sympathy. He said to fight and eliminate terrorism, the world has to change its attitude and behavior. He was speaking at a three-day workshop organized by Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) here.
He expressed apprehension on the displacement of a large section of population in the NWFP due to the war between Pakistan and the Taliban. He said in order to fight a handful of terrorist thousands of people including women and children had been displaced in the region. He said the situation had been different had Pakistan did not patronize the Taliban in order to use them against others. Today on the one hand the personnel of Pakistani security forces are being killed while on the other thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes and living in camps.
Parwana warned that Gilgit Baltistan was also affecting from the ongoing war against terrorism. The war has badly affected the economy of the region as its tourism sector has been destroyed. He alleged that in order to chase the terrorists, Gilgit Baltistan was also likely to be targeted. If this happened, he said the people of this region would suffer a lot. He called upon the people of the region to understand the gravity of the situation and live in peace and harmony and protect their area against infiltration of terrorist elements
Issued by
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
www.skardu.blogspot.com
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said terrorism is not only dangerous for any religion, country or region but is also destructive for whole humanity. He said use of force was not enough to crush terrorism because its brutal use makes terrorists a kind of victim gaining them public sympathy. He said to fight and eliminate terrorism, the world has to change its attitude and behavior. He was speaking at a three-day workshop organized by Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) here.
He expressed apprehension on the displacement of a large section of population in the NWFP due to the war between Pakistan and the Taliban. He said in order to fight a handful of terrorist thousands of people including women and children had been displaced in the region. He said the situation had been different had Pakistan did not patronize the Taliban in order to use them against others. Today on the one hand the personnel of Pakistani security forces are being killed while on the other thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes and living in camps.
Parwana warned that Gilgit Baltistan was also affecting from the ongoing war against terrorism. The war has badly affected the economy of the region as its tourism sector has been destroyed. He alleged that in order to chase the terrorists, Gilgit Baltistan was also likely to be targeted. If this happened, he said the people of this region would suffer a lot. He called upon the people of the region to understand the gravity of the situation and live in peace and harmony and protect their area against infiltration of terrorist elements
Issued by
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
www.skardu.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Creating Harmony
Read the article from UNPO Web site
http://www.unpo.org/content/view/9615/254/
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: GBUM praised for creating harmony hailed
Gilgit Baltistan: GBUM praised for creating harmony hailed
SKARDU: 18 May 2009
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said nationalist parties are inching towards achieving their objectives and his party had recently foiled a conspiracy to divide the people on sectarian lines with the support of the masses of the region.He stated this while addressing a meeting of the GBUM's supreme council here. He said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had foiled the conspiracy to create law and order situation in the region after the murder of NALA deputy speaker Asad Zaidi. He said his party was playing a major role in building regional, sectarian and political harmony in the region. He said by turning up in a large number at a meeting of the GBUM in Skardu on May 1, the people of the region had proved that no force can divide them to achieve their vested interest.
Secretary general of GBUM Ghulam Shahzad Agha while speaking on the occasion said the proof of our success and popularity was that our opponents have resorted to cheap practices looking at the popularity graph of the nationalists in the region. He said the nationalists would fully take part in the forthcoming elections to make it clear that the future belonged to them.
Spokesman of the party Ismail Zia said his party believed in maintaining the alliance with the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA); however he had some reservations with the leaders of the alliance parties of the GBDA.
Issued by
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com
SKARDU: 18 May 2009
Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana has said nationalist parties are inching towards achieving their objectives and his party had recently foiled a conspiracy to divide the people on sectarian lines with the support of the masses of the region.He stated this while addressing a meeting of the GBUM's supreme council here. He said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had foiled the conspiracy to create law and order situation in the region after the murder of NALA deputy speaker Asad Zaidi. He said his party was playing a major role in building regional, sectarian and political harmony in the region. He said by turning up in a large number at a meeting of the GBUM in Skardu on May 1, the people of the region had proved that no force can divide them to achieve their vested interest.
Secretary general of GBUM Ghulam Shahzad Agha while speaking on the occasion said the proof of our success and popularity was that our opponents have resorted to cheap practices looking at the popularity graph of the nationalists in the region. He said the nationalists would fully take part in the forthcoming elections to make it clear that the future belonged to them.
Spokesman of the party Ismail Zia said his party believed in maintaining the alliance with the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA); however he had some reservations with the leaders of the alliance parties of the GBDA.
Issued by
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: Enemy wants to eliminate us
Gilgit Baltistan: Enemy wants to eliminate us
SKARDU:
Speakers at a public gathering organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) and the Balawaristan National Front (BNF) here said unseen forces have started conspiracies to create tension and pitch people against each other in the region.
They said the conspiracy was aimed to eliminate the identity of the masses of Gilgit-Baltistan and paralyze their ability to rise for their rights.
The nationalist leaders on the occasion said the killing of Northern Areas legislative Assembly deputy speaker Asad Zaidi was not only a murder of an individual but also of a whole nation. They said the so-called leaders and councilors were out to damage the national cause and achieve their vested interests at any cost. If today Asad Zaidi has been eliminated tomorrow the whole nation can also be targeted, they feared. They said these so-called leaders of the region should have tendered resignation after killing of Asad Zaidi. The mammoth public meeting was organized at Yadgar Chowk in memory of Asad Zaidi and in connection with the Labour Day.
Speaking on the occasion, nationalist leader Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Parwana said on May 1, oppressed laborers rose against imperialist forces for their rights. It is time we too rise against the injustices and for our rights denied to us for the last over six decades. Parwana said the Rangers were a continuous burden on our economy which has failed to control law and order and give security to the masses.
We as a nation have our own separate identity which was being eroded by some forces. The conspirators are trying to divide us sectarian lines; however they will never succeed in their nefarious designs, he added.
President Hunza Youth Progressive Movement Baba Jan, Central spokesman of BNF Safdar Ali , Ismael Zia , Ghulam Shehzad Agha, Wazir Shafi Advocate, Shera Masood Buhannullah ,Kacho Mehdi and Syed Mohsin Zaidi also addressed the gathering.
Issued By
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
SKARDU:
Speakers at a public gathering organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) and the Balawaristan National Front (BNF) here said unseen forces have started conspiracies to create tension and pitch people against each other in the region.
They said the conspiracy was aimed to eliminate the identity of the masses of Gilgit-Baltistan and paralyze their ability to rise for their rights.
The nationalist leaders on the occasion said the killing of Northern Areas legislative Assembly deputy speaker Asad Zaidi was not only a murder of an individual but also of a whole nation. They said the so-called leaders and councilors were out to damage the national cause and achieve their vested interests at any cost. If today Asad Zaidi has been eliminated tomorrow the whole nation can also be targeted, they feared. They said these so-called leaders of the region should have tendered resignation after killing of Asad Zaidi. The mammoth public meeting was organized at Yadgar Chowk in memory of Asad Zaidi and in connection with the Labour Day.
Speaking on the occasion, nationalist leader Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Manzoor Parwana said on May 1, oppressed laborers rose against imperialist forces for their rights. It is time we too rise against the injustices and for our rights denied to us for the last over six decades. Parwana said the Rangers were a continuous burden on our economy which has failed to control law and order and give security to the masses.
We as a nation have our own separate identity which was being eroded by some forces. The conspirators are trying to divide us sectarian lines; however they will never succeed in their nefarious designs, he added.
President Hunza Youth Progressive Movement Baba Jan, Central spokesman of BNF Safdar Ali , Ismael Zia , Ghulam Shehzad Agha, Wazir Shafi Advocate, Shera Masood Buhannullah ,Kacho Mehdi and Syed Mohsin Zaidi also addressed the gathering.
Issued By
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan :Condolence Reference in the memory of Syed Asda Zaidi
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement and Balawaristan National Front called a condolance reference in the memorry of Syed Asad Zaidi on 1st May 2009 at Skardu.Zaidi was recenlty shot dead in a terrorist attacked in Gilgit city.The 14 years old son of syed zaidi was the chief guest of the public gathering. Here is the photoes of the programme.Chairman Gilgit Baltistan united Movement Manzoor Hussain Parwana is addressing the gathering.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Gilgit Baltistan: State terrorism at high point
Gilgit Baltistan: State terrorism at high point
GILGIT 28th April 2009
Addressing a public gathering in Gilgit, Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana has expressed that maintenance of peace in Gilgit-Baltistan will remain a pipedream in the presence of colonial masters ,outsider bureaucracy and unbridled secret agencies in the region.
The gathering was called by Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) to observe 28th April as "black day" at the occasion of the "Karachi Pact". {Pakistan occupied and took the administrative control of Gilgit Baltstan in the light of this fake Pack ).
Manzoor Parwana said the killing of Deputy Speaker NALA Asad Zaidi was the worst kind of state terrorism in the region and the involvement of the administration in the heinous crime cannot be ruled out. He said after destroying the peace of Gilgit, the rulers and the local administration were now out to sabotage the peace and tranquility of Baltistan and the killing of a prominent local political figure was the sign of this conspiracy.
Pawana said the killing of Asad Zaidi was aimed to sow the seeds of hatred, sectarianism and regionalism among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said if the people of Baltistan did not realize the gravity of the situation, soon their area would be worse off. He said the killing of Asad Zaidi in the Gilgit city area soon after a popular hotel of Skardu received threatening letter showed a big conspiracy against the region. He said this can be the handiwork of those forces who have been continuing their control on the two million people of Gilgit-Baltistan and denying them their basic rights for the last over six decades.
The elements who masterminded the 1988 attacks on the region can now push the Taliban and Al Qaeda into the region to start a killing spree in the region, Mr Parwana feared. He said the ubiquitous presence of the army, Rangers and other law enforcers in Gilgit has turned the area into a garrison city and in such a situation the killing of a political figure showed the total failure of the security agencies. Like the assassination probe of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, this incident should also be investigated by the world body, he maintained.
Mr. Parwana called upon the world community including the UN, European Union, UNPO, China and others to pressure Pakistani government to withdraw its army, paramilitary forces and the civil bureaucracy from Gilgit-Baltistan and ensure the self-governance right to the people of the region in accordance with the UN resolutions.
The alarming situation of Gilgit Baltistan is not only threat to the entire region or Pakistan, the speedy spreading barbarity of terrorists in the patronage of occupant administration may affect the neighboring countries such as China, India and Central Asian States. He added.
Issued By
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com
GILGIT 28th April 2009
Addressing a public gathering in Gilgit, Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) Manzoor Hussain Parwana has expressed that maintenance of peace in Gilgit-Baltistan will remain a pipedream in the presence of colonial masters ,outsider bureaucracy and unbridled secret agencies in the region.
The gathering was called by Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) to observe 28th April as "black day" at the occasion of the "Karachi Pact". {Pakistan occupied and took the administrative control of Gilgit Baltstan in the light of this fake Pack ).
Manzoor Parwana said the killing of Deputy Speaker NALA Asad Zaidi was the worst kind of state terrorism in the region and the involvement of the administration in the heinous crime cannot be ruled out. He said after destroying the peace of Gilgit, the rulers and the local administration were now out to sabotage the peace and tranquility of Baltistan and the killing of a prominent local political figure was the sign of this conspiracy.
Pawana said the killing of Asad Zaidi was aimed to sow the seeds of hatred, sectarianism and regionalism among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said if the people of Baltistan did not realize the gravity of the situation, soon their area would be worse off. He said the killing of Asad Zaidi in the Gilgit city area soon after a popular hotel of Skardu received threatening letter showed a big conspiracy against the region. He said this can be the handiwork of those forces who have been continuing their control on the two million people of Gilgit-Baltistan and denying them their basic rights for the last over six decades.
The elements who masterminded the 1988 attacks on the region can now push the Taliban and Al Qaeda into the region to start a killing spree in the region, Mr Parwana feared. He said the ubiquitous presence of the army, Rangers and other law enforcers in Gilgit has turned the area into a garrison city and in such a situation the killing of a political figure showed the total failure of the security agencies. Like the assassination probe of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, this incident should also be investigated by the world body, he maintained.
Mr. Parwana called upon the world community including the UN, European Union, UNPO, China and others to pressure Pakistani government to withdraw its army, paramilitary forces and the civil bureaucracy from Gilgit-Baltistan and ensure the self-governance right to the people of the region in accordance with the UN resolutions.
The alarming situation of Gilgit Baltistan is not only threat to the entire region or Pakistan, the speedy spreading barbarity of terrorists in the patronage of occupant administration may affect the neighboring countries such as China, India and Central Asian States. He added.
Issued By
Manzoor Hussain Parwana
Chairman
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
Skardu Baltistan
www.skardu.blogspot.com
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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