Gilgit-Baltistan celebrates Liberation Day
Our Correspondents
November 2: The people of Gilgit-Baltistan paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of their ancestors today, in remembrance of the day 65 years ago when the Gilgit Rebellion had taken place. The rebellion had resulted in removal of the region’s Kashmiri Dogra rulers, liberating around 72 thousand square miles of land, from Khunjerab to Kargil.
GB Governor, Syed Pir Karam Ali Shah and Chief Minister, Syed Mehdi Shah visited the monument of independence in Chinar Bagh, Gilgit, and laid floral wraths at the grave of the martyrs. Prayers were also offered for good health of the veterans of liberation war. They were accompanied by senior military officials and Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Secretary, Sajjad Saleem Hotiyana.
Gatherings were also held in all district and tehsil headquarters. Public and private schools celebrated the day by organizing programmes to highlight the region’s history, cultural diversity and resources. The sacrifices of the freedom fighters were hailed by speakers, poets and writers across the region.
Several cities, towns and villages were decorated with banners, flags and posters, highlighting different aspects of the liberation war.
A marathon race was also organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts as part of the liberation day celebrations. The fifteen kilometre long race started from Karakoram International University and culminated at the City Park in Gilgit.
Death during race
One of the participants of the race, Abidullah, a BBA student of Karakoram University, fell unconscious towards the end of the race and was taken to the DHQ hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the doctors.
Ceremonies were also held in other parts of Baltistan, Ghizer, Astore and Diamer in which police officials performed March Past and paid tributes to Gilgit-Baltistan’s liberators.
Political parties, including PPP, PMLN, MQM, KNM, BNF and Jamat-e-Islami held processions and rallies to celebrate the liberation day of Gilgit-Baltistan.
To which flag they salute in the picture? Has GB its own flag? If not, then salute is illogical.
I wish contents of key note speech were covered in your reporting
they are saluting Pakistan’s flag for which their elders laid down their lives
it seems that we havenot learnt to respect our patriot ancestors who have laid their lives for this homeland ie GB which Alhamdulillah is part of Pakistan. I feel pity on those who speak the tounge of our foes trying to destabilize and dismember us by promoting at times anti Pakistan sentiments and at the same time fueling the sectarian dishormony and increasig the divide. God may grant us the sense to respect our national flag.