Several hundred leaders of the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance were detained by Pakistani forces on Saturday [31 October] ahead of upcoming elections which are scheduled for 12 November. 

Below is an article published by the Balawaristan National Front:

The Detention of a hundred GBDA leaders and workers exposes elections frauds in Pakistan. Top leaders of the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) have been detained by the Pakistan Occupying regime in Gilgit today [31 October]. Wajahat Hassan Khan Chairman APNA and Engineer Amanullah Khan Chairman GBDA along with all the 3 candidates of Gilgit constituency have been arrested by the police pursuant to orders from the Pakistan Army Headquarters  (GHQ) today [31 October] during an announcement that there would be a public gathering against the illegal occupation of Pakistan on 1 November.

The Gilgit Police have arrested Engineer Amanullah Khan Chairman GBDA, Burhanullah General Secretary, Shahid Hussain GBDA candidate for LA 1 Gilgit 1 constituency; Adv. Mohammad Farooq, GBDA candidate for LA 2 Gilgit 2 constituency; Afsar Jan, GBDA candidate for LA 3 Gilgit 3 constituency; Adv. Ehsan Ali, former President of the Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council; Wajahat Hassan Khan, ex-member of Gilgit-Baltistan Council; Col. (Retired) Nadir Hassan; Mohammad Javed, former member of the District Council and Akbar. Dozens of Balawaristan National Students Organization (BNSO) and Karakorum Students Organization (KSO) members have also been detained by Gilgit police when they started organizing public gatherings.

The GBDA is the only indigenous nationalist Political Alliance (mainly consisting of the BNF and the KNM) in this disputed region which is under Pakistani occupation and it has been barred from taking part in the election process. All the facilities and funding have gone to the Pakistani parties who are taking part in the upcoming elections on 12 November 2009. According to the UNCIP, Pakistan is obliged to withdraw its forces and civilians but in practice Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies have been active in suppressing the whole indigenous population of Gilgit-Baltistan. The 2 million indigenous peoples are not allowed to raise their voices or participate in the political process and they lack access to justice, education and economic progress. The Pakistani occupying regime does not allow the GBDA to hold election rallies and public gatherings, which is a clear indication of unfair and partial elections. The GBDA is contesting the elections, which are being carried out under duress of the Pakistani occupation.

We condemn this brutal and illegal act of the Pakistani occupying regime and we intend to tell the international community that the government of Pakistan and its military and intelligence apparatus has decided to elect all the Pakistani-backed candidates including PPP ; PML, JUI, JI and MQM. The MQM has been sent to this disputed region by the ISI first time with a large amount of funds and other facilities, while Zardari government is backing PPP.  In such a situation we do not have trust in the elections.

Abdul Hamid Khan
Chairman
Balawaristan National Front (BNF)
Head Office: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan)
Website: www.balawaristan.net