GB Bar Council asks “Security Institutions” to take notice of Gilgit-Baltistan’s deprivations
Gilgit, November 21: The Gilgit-Baltistan Council has demanded of the Security Institutions, particularly Pak Army, along with the parliament, supreme court and other national institutions to take notice of the deepening sense of deprivation in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. The Bar Council has urged the institutions to “not waste time” and ensure provision of rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In a detailed press release issued after an “extraorindary meeting”, the Bar members have also said that they will urgently hold a Lawyers’ Conference to raise “sensitive issues” pertaining to the region’s legal, constitutional and historical status.
“The meeting pointed out that the people of Gilgit Baltistan are very much aware of the existence of the Pakistan China Agreement made in 1963 wherein 2000 Sq Km of Gilgit Baltistan has been given to P R of China in exchange of 735 Sq km by the GOP” reads the PR, adding that the region’s population have the right to question legitimacy of the action.
“If it is a dispute territory, then how come “giving 2000 sq km area of GB to China in exchange of just 735 Sq km area” has not affected Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir dispute”, questions the PR issued by Advocate Shahbaz Khan of the Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council.
They also warn that further denial of rights to the strategically important region ‘will not be in the interest of Pakistan’.
The meeting has also demanded that Pakistan give the people of Gilgit Baltistan their fundamental rights to govern themselves through their chosen representatives, besides giving them access to an independent judiciary “guaranteed under a constitution” without further delay.
The lawyers also said that all kinds of legislation through adaptation of laws or issuance of executive orders by the Ministry of K & GB for Gilgit Baltistan, is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional and unauthorized. They said that all such laws have no sanctity. The lawyers have also decided to challenge the actions of the KA&GB before the appropriate forums at the earliest.
Click for the detailed Press Release GB bar Council
