Gilgit baltistan’s recent uprisings: Endless saga of atrocities

In 1947, when India acquired freedom from British rule and thereafter face a fierce but concealed invasion by Pakistan and through it Pakistan occupied a large part of Jammu Kashmir Including Gilgit Baltistan and Mirpur Muzaffarabad region.  Due to which not only the economic and Political development of the people of this region was hampered, but this also it questioned the identity and integrity of the peoples of this region.

Year 2018 begins with struggling with difficult situations for Gilgit Baltistan.  Pakistan is mulling upgrading the constitutional status Gilgit-Baltistan region. The move could signal a historic shift in Pakistan’s position on the future of the Kashmir region, observers have said, dealing another potential blow to fragile peace talk efforts.

Against governments move to Taxation laws, a heavy demonstration create orderless situation in Gilgit Baltistan region until leaders of Awami Action Committee and Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran have announced to end their 16-day long protests against imposition of taxes in Gilgit-Baltistan on January 5. The protest continued almost a fortnight against protesting illegal and non-constitutional taxes and thousands of people sitting at the Yadgar Square in the extreme cold at minus 15 degree. (Government used iron fist continuously for crushing down the voices of dissent. The recent example is that the one of the Nationalist leader Ghulam Ali was arrested by police for violating condition of fourth schedule for attending and has booked under anti terrorist act under section 1EE.)

For formulation for truce Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has approved the implementation of the Finance Appropriation Act in Gilgit-Baltistan. Abbasi has signed a formal draft and have been has been sent to the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haifz-ur-Rehman. After approval of the draft all the taxes collected under the income tax adoption act have been suspended till the time new tax bill is not enacted.

One the issue of taxes government has got been divided into two group one group is lead by the chief minister Gilgit-Baltistan they have view that without any tax policy province cannot progress they want new tax law to be implemented in with certain concessions . By this way province will get some kind of financial freedom and will some decrease burden on federal government. But other group lead by the speaker legislative assembly have view that since they are representatives of the people and people does not want to pay taxes without the constitutional right so they cannot go against the wishes of people.

Apparently, China is concerned with Gilgit Baltistan’s undetermined political status and recurrent local protests in the region for representation in Islamabad. Hence, China is keen to get rid of all roadblocks before taking the grand geo-economic plunge with an investment of now over $60 billion in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will connect Western China with the warm waters of the Arabian Sea via Pakistan.

But this is also a notable fact that alteration in Gilgit Baltistan’s political status is subject to an amendment of Pakistan’s constitution. However, any measure or amendment such as this would be in conflict with Article 257 that outlines Pakistan’s equation with parts of former princely state under its control. According to this article, Pakistan’s ties with these entities would be formalised only after they accede to Pakistan.

But this was just an inception of a series of protests against the government in Gilgit Baltistan. Protest of Taxes against ended on Itihad Chowk Gilgit ended another protest has started by contractual employee for their regularization. Around 4000 contractual employees of different departments of the government from all the districts are protesting against the condition of test and interview imposed by the government for their regularization. And these followed by a strike by health personals in Gilgit Baltistan in demand of better payments and working conditions.

Rivalry between PPP and PML (N) has reached and create a new low. Opposition accused the Chief Minister Haifz-ul-Rehman as the biggest obstacle in constitutional rights and sitting on the volcano of corruption and lava of the corruption is getting heated up by each passing day. Which will erupt one day and finish him and sooner or later has to go to jail.

PML N accused PPP that PPP created The following Act, passed by the Gilgit-Baltistan Council on 21st March, 2012 and authenticated by the Chairman, Gilgit-Baltistan Council/Prime Minister of Pakistan. And now playing with the sentiments of this region by protesting the procedures of same law. While PPP leaders outspoken on the issue of possible power overturn and dethrone of CM Haifz-ur-Rehman. Threat is very much potential in context of recent oust of Sanaullah Zehri as Chief Minister of Balochistan and entry of Abdul Quddus Bizenzo as common choice of opposition.

Internal discords is now coming in front for erstwhile ruling family of Hunza and also the incumbent governor of Gilgit-Baltistan where his wife and son, Rani Ateeka and Shah Salem Khan gave contradictory statements about government . After all of that a peace deal was sorted out the issue between of Gilgit-Baltistan Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan and his son Prince Salem Khan.

Persecution continues in the name of development under the fold of “CPEC”.  Diamer-Basha Dam Diamer administration dismantled around 150 illegally constructed houses in Challis.  The demolition team was provided security by the heavy contingent of police and GB Scots.  People in Goharabad came no roads burned tyres blocked the Karakoram highway after the administration dismantled their houses. Protestors said government must pay the compensation for their damaged properties else the government will be responsible for any consciences.

The common folks of this region face serious problems due to lack of food grains. Provisional government had contacted federal government to increase the quota of wheat. In turn federal government attached condition of increase in the price of wheat to increase the quota of wheat. It is a deep blow for the poor public who can hardly earn his living. Sources said the supply of wheat has also been affected because the census results have not been declared yet. What kind of gerrymandering is this which play with the life of innocent peoples?