Concerns raised by Manzoor Hussain Parwana as he views Gilgit Baltisan being turned into a minority.

Below is an article published by : Gilgit Baltisan United Movement

Gilgit Baltistan United Movement expressed its concerns over the growing change in the demography of Gilgit Baltistan and considered it a threat to the identity of the indigenous population.

Addressing the issue at the occasion of the oath taking ceremony of the Skardu Educational Cooperation Organization (SECO) in Karachi on the 22nd February 2009, Manzoor Hussain Parwana viewed that the local population of Gilgit Baltistan was being turned into a minority with the passage of time. A day will come when the locals will have no say in the political process. People belonging to different provinces of Pakistan are appointed on key posts in the region. After their term of office they consequently occupy and purchase land in Gilgit Baltistan.

Parwana said “State Subject Rule(SSR) was still operational in Azad & Jammu Kashmir which is similar to Gilgit Baltistan but unfortunately SSR was abolished in Gilgit Baltistan to bring demographical change in the entire region. The outsiders are occupying our land and we are forced to leave the region.”

The implementation of State Subject Rule in Gilgit Baltistan has been one of the demands of nationalists. So far no progress has been made in this regards. The main markets and valuable piece of lands in Gilgit Baltistan are now owned by the businessmen, army men and politicians of Pakistan although more than half a million people have been left the region due to poverty and joblessness. He added.

Parwana slammed the government that although the Northern Areas Legislative Assembly had approved a resolution to restore the historical name of the region “Gilgit Baltistan” in November 2008, the government of Pakistan is neglecting to implement this resolution. It is a conspiracy to diminish the historical and political identity of the region Mr. Parwana demanded of the government to reinforce State Subject Rule and implement the renaming resolution of NALA, the historical name of “Gilgit Baltistan” without further delay or excuse.