Democracy and rule of law for Gilgit Baltistan
Speech of Manzoor Parwana delivered ONLINE in a Gilgit Baltistan
Conference held in the George University Washington USA organized by “The
Central Asia Program of the George Washington University” “ The Foundation for
democracy and Rule of Law for regions in conflict” and “The Institute for
Gilgit Baltistan Studies” , on 25 April 2013. Mr. Chairman, Honorable Chief
guests and Distinguish participants. I am thankful to the Central Asia Program
of the George Washington University the Foundation for democracy and Rule of
Law for regions in conflict and the Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies for
giving me an opportunity to share my views in this historical event on the
longstanding issues of Gilgit Baltistan. I have derived my topic “Democracy and
rule of law for Gilgit Baltistan” from the name of co-host organization “The
Foundation for democracy and Rule of Law for regions in conflict”.
I want to introduce myself to the participants of this workshop
before my speech. My name is Manzoor Hussain Parwana. I am the chairman of
Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM). The Gilgit Baltistan United Movement
(GBUM) is an indigenous representative party which has been struggling for
right of self determination of the disenfranchised people of the Gilgit
Baltistan. I was imprisoned, harassed and tortured several times because of my
unflinching resolve to work for achievement of the basic rights and freedom for
the people of the disputed region.
Gilgit Baltistan is the Conflict region for six decades between
India and Pakistan within the frame of Kashmir dispute. On 1st November 1947,
the local population of Gilgit Baltistan overthrew the Dogra regime in Gilgit
Baltistan on their own and formed an independent government .This is supposed
to be the real local authority of the indigenous people of the region i.e. one
out of the three interim governments recognized by the United Nation to be
functioning in the disputed former state of Jammu & Kashmir. The other two
Governments are at Muzaffarabad and Srinagar.
Unfortunately, the Govt. of Pakistan has mishandled and
misrepresented to the international community and colonized the Gilgit
Baltistan portion of disputed. This conflict region Gilgit Baltistan under the
de- facto administration of Pakistan has no identity, no constitution, no
system, no free expression, no impartial judiciary, no free media, no free
movement, no human rights, no rights of vote and no freedom of expression but
which is called the last colony of 21st century what Baroness Emma Nicholson,
MEP in her report to European Union in 2007, has rightly described it at one
stage that Gilgit Baltistan is like a “Black Hole” in the world.
The unnoticed gross violations of human, political and religious
rights perpetuated on our people for the last six decades are obscured,
unnoticed and unheard. Gilgit Baltistan is not represented in constitution of
Pakistan and thus not in its legislative apparatus, but unfortunately, all
possible and cruel laws including FCR have been applied on the people of Gilgit
Baltistan with full force. Gilgit Baltistan was trampled and wide-spread
environmental, resulting in deforestation, overgrazing, uncontrolled mining,
and extinction of wildlife, soil erosion, landslides and other perils. The
government of Pakistan continues to extract various natural resources without
any environmental safeguard; as a result, Gilgit Baltistan is facing an
environmental crisis, the ramifications of which will be felt far beyond its
borders.
The construction of the Diamar Bhasha Dam and Bunji Dams should be
abandoned immediately where deadly explosive are being used. The construction
of huge Dams in the vicinity of glaciers, by China, Pakistan and India should
be stopped, particularly Pakistan must restrain from the construction of
Basha/Diamar dam, Bonji dam and Katzura dam , so that the eco-system may be
saved from the effects of dams. The Chinese companies and firm has been working
on mineral extraction in Gilgit Baltistan. Increased mining activities further
reduces vegetation cover and thus increase the chance for severe landslides,
massive soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitat and the pollution of streams and
rivers. The use of highly flammable explosive is not only destabilizing the high
altitude mountains but also diminishing the rare birds and animals from this
region. This causes heavy toll to the echo-system of the nature.
The environmental issue of Gilgit Baltistan is not an
inconsequential regional issue, but has huge global significance to warrant
international attention The termination of State Subject Rules changed the
demography of the conflict region. The main responsibilities of this pathetic
state of affairs lie on the government of Pakistan but we can not exempt India
from shunning her responsibilities as government of India claims
Gilgit-Baltistan as hers but failed to raise befitting voice against human
rights violations here. The opening of Kargil Skardu road is a longstanding and
indigenous demand from both sides of LOC but India and Pakistan is showing
reluctance to accept this demand, as both are accommodating the demands from
the Kashmir Valley and discriminating against Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh.
At this historical event on the behalf of two Million of people of
Gilgit Baltistan , I appeal to the United Nation, USA, European Union , Human
rights watch, freedom house, Amnesty International and civilized countries of
the world to pay attention to the plight of Gilgit Baltistan for their just
cause of freedom. We urged the international community especially the offices
of the United Nations to support the right of self-determination for the
oppressed and poverty stricken natives of the disputed region of
Gilgit-Baltistan,
We request the international community to offer equal treatment and
attention to both Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistani Kashmir, or the natives of
Gilgit-Baltistan will continue to live an impoverished life with complete
denial of freedom of expression, press and political activity. We appeal that
since Pakistan has no capacity or the will to solve constitutional and economic
problems of Gilgit-Baltistan, therefore, the international community must pay
immediate attention to address this impasse. We suggested to the US government
to initiate programs in Gilgit-Baltistan to help promote human rights, cultural
and economic wellbeing, improved communication and transportation links,
freedom of speech, press and political activity, and enhanced literacy and
women development.
We request the international community to persuade Pakistan to end
human rights violations in the disputed territory of Gilgit Baltistan, so that
natives could live a free life, a life of their choice, and a life with dignity
and basic rights. I once again thank the organizers and participants for this
wonderful evening
PM to open critical Jammu and Kashmir rail link
Four and a half months after the hanging of Afzal Guru, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh will extend an olive branch to the Kashmir valley by
inaugurating the 17.7 km railway line from Banihal to Quazigund. The line will
realise the 114-year-old dream of connecting Kashmir valley with Jammu and
enable a much reduced travel time of approximately 20-25 minutes.
In what will be his first-ever visit to Kashmir since Guru’s
execution, Singh will ‘dedicate’ the rail link to the people - which includes
the country’s longest transportation tunnel through the Pir Panjal range. The
11.2 km long tunnel – called the T-80 or the Pir Panjal tunnel – has been
constructed using the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM) for the first time
The rail link, part of Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link
(USBRL) project, has been executed by the Ircon International, a railways PSU.
“This method has paved way for many more transportation tunnels now being
undertaken in the country,” Ircon officials said. The Prime Minister’s visit is
tentatively scheduled for June 25. With the PM set to visit the Valley amid
peace overtures by the Prime Minister-designate of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, New
Delhi is all set to broaden the ambit of consultations on Kashmir to start a
“constructive dialogue” with all shades of opinion.
During the visit, the PM is also scheduled to release a stamp in the
name of Kashmir’s famed poet Ghulam Ahmed Mehjoor, while inaugurating the
Mughal Road. It was the late Maharaja Pratap Singh, who in 1898, had first
toyed with the idea of connecting Jammu with the Kashmir valley.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/PM-to-open-critical-Jammu-and-Kashmir-rail-link/Article1-1067516.aspx
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