Sep 09, 2009

Gilgit-Baltistan: GBUM Calls for Self-Rule Under UN Resolutions


Active ImageGilgit-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.

 

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.

Speaking at a press conference, Chairman of the GBUM, Manzoor Hussain Parwana said in order to ensure autonomy, all Pakistani civil personnel should be withdrawn from Gilgit-Baltistan and replaced with local administration.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 restored with immediate effect. "To ensure peace in Gilgit-Baltistan, the right of speech should be respected. Further, all Pakistani paramilitary personnel including those of frontier constabulary, Chitral Scouts, Rangers and Khyber Rifles should be withdrawn from Gilgit-Baltistan. Illegal involvement of Pakistani agencies in the local affairs should be stopped.

He also demanded that all historical trade and tourist routes between Kargil and Skardu, 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.

On August 29, 2009, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani unveiled the "Empowerment and Self-governance Ordinance 2009 for Gilgit-Baltistan". The ordinance will pave way to impose a 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'.

Mr Parwana has reiterated that Gilgit-Baltistan is disputed 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 members of the federal cabinet which approved the package are not citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan.

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. He opined

He said 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.

Manzoor Hussain Parwana

Chairman

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement

www.skardu.blogspot.com