Since the independence of Pakistan in 1947, Gilgit Baltistan has been the object of conflict between Pakistan and India because of its area covering most parts of the disputed Kahmir Region. In 1970, Gilgit-Baltistan was separated from the rest of Azad Kashmir and it became a administrative unit by the amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, the Baltistan District of the Ladakh Wazarat and the states of Hunza and Nagar. The United Nations gave a name of “Northern Areas” for its identification in Kashmir.
It presently consists of seven districts with the population approaching one million and an area of 73,000 km2 sharing the borders with Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and India.In 1963, Pakistan provisionally ceded a small part of the Northern Areas, the Shaksgam tract, to China.
If we go through the historical background, Gilgit Baltistan has never participated in Pkaistan’s constitutional political affairs since 1947. In this regard, few dates have a great importance in understanding the political scenaro of the Northern Areas.On 29th August,2009, the Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order was passed by the Pakistani cabinet and later signed by the President of Pakistan.Next month, the former Pakistani Prime Minister visited Gilgit Baltistan and announced a multi biliion rupee developemnt package for the sake of uplifting the socio-economic condition( areas of health,education, agriculture, tourism and other basic needs) of people there. Another important incident occured in 1993 when the attempt by the High Court of Azad Kashmir to annex Gilgit Baltistan was quashed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan due to the protests of the predominently Shia population of Gilgit Baltistan who had a fear of being overwhelmed by the Sunni Kashmiris.
Yesterday, the six banners were found placed outside the UN office in Geneva displaying anger against the state of Pakistan. Without mentioning the name of individual,party or organization, the banners had the following statements written under the photograph of Pakistan flag:
“Chinese building military cell tours in Gilgit Baltistan”
“Pakistan selling Gilgit Baltistan to China”
“Heavy presence of Chinese army Gilgit Baltistan a strategic location for Chinese Expansion”
The above mentioned statements refer to the heavy investments of China in infrastructure development in the Gilgit Baltistan.A number of Chinese companies are working in the region on projects like expansion of the Karakoram Highway and construction of Hydro power projects, Pak China project of International connectivity in 20 cities of Gilgit Baltistan and many others.
Three similar banners placed outside the UNOG were related to rights violations in Balochistan.
One banner was prominent of all in which a portrait of nationalist leader, MLA, Nawaz Khan Naji was printed with the controversial message:
“We are neither Pakistanis nor Kashmiris…stop our forceful accession”
Here the question arises, if the banners were against Pakistan China friendship and its developmental policies, why the Pakistani flag was printed on the above portion of all banners? What was the signal given to whom?
It is difficult to spot out the hands behind the banners giving the messages against the state of Pakistan and its disagreement on the friendship with China. CNN field producer Gohar Abbas ,covering the UN session in Geneva, checked the banners and told that his investigation regarding the issue was still in vain.
