August 27, 2009
GILGIT, Aug 26: Eminent constitutional expert and progressive politician Abid Hassan Minto has said that Gilgit-Baltistan was not constitutional part of Pakistan and people of region had been deprived of all fundamental human rights.
“The people of this important region are administered under the Citizenship 
Act but the territory is not a constitutional part of Pakistan,” he said while talking to Dawn here on Tuesday.
Mr Manto is in Gilgit on the invitation of the Northern Areas’ Supreme Appellate Court for guidance regarding implementation of labour laws whether the laws were applicable in the region or not.
“Pakistan’s Constitution does not say a single word about Gilgit-Baltistan. This is a worst example of human rights violation,” he said.
Mr Minto, who is President of the National Workers Party, asked the federal government to devise a clear-cut policy on Gilgit-Baltistan and give democratic and constitutional rights to the people of the sensitive region.
He said the least the Pakistan government could do was to give the locals the right to rule themselves through their elected representatives rather than the bureaucracy. The Northern Areas Governance Order would not heal the decades-old wounds of the people. The area should be given their own constitution and parliamentary setup on the line of Azad Kashmir.
“How come this possible that mega dams are being constructed in the area without obtaining consent of the masses,” he said, adding that royalty and other issues should be dealt in the interest of the masses.
All laws of Pakistan, he said, were applicable in the region but they were not exercised for unknown reasons. “The Supreme Appellate Court and Chief Court of Northern Areas are fully empowered to ensure rights to the people,” he said.
Courtesy: DAWN
Posted By:
Pervez Fateh
SAPF UK
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26 responses so far ↓
1 yaseen ch // Aug 28, 2009 at 9:42 pm
actually Mr manto is right,these northern areas joined Pakistan by their own will.
2 irfan // Aug 29, 2009 at 1:25 am
Mr Minto is a indian lobby person thats he saying the words
3 Abdullah // Aug 29, 2009 at 1:37 am
Mr manto is agent of Raw indian inteligence thats why he spoke the above words
4 sindhia // Sep 1, 2009 at 7:47 pm
To call Mr Minto, a true Pakistani ,RAW agent is really unfair. Gilgit and Baltistan are part of disputed Kashmir and as such it sh0uld be handed over to Azad Kashmir .
The Gilgit Baltistan “provence” is conspricy against Kashmir and Pakistan. Gilgit and Baltistan are part of Kashmir and no government in Pakistan has right to create such an entity. This is being done at USA instigation in order to devide Kashmiris and Pakistanis. It is also being done to create yet another independent entity which will be dependent on USA and will have American base incircling China. We will have Americans surrounding us and also causing rift between China and Pakistan.
We know that every time the minders of Pakistan Government ( Christian Racco, Armitage, Richard Bowchar and now Richard Hallbrooke ) visit Pakistan they visit Gilgit and each time they visit there is some kind of Suni
Shia conflict. It has been recently reported that large number of Qadianis have been moving up in this area. Islamabad has a USA selected Government. And 1955 demand on the part of Rothchild the head of Zionist and owner of Bank of England is to break up Pakistan is being executed with these traitors at USA demand. One must never forget that Zionists are determind enemy and what they say they do it. With likes of Zardari and Gilani who are $ prostitutes this is possible. So be aware why suddenly the traitors think there are no other problems in Pakistan but Gilgit and Baltistan.
5 Rooh Ullah // Sep 2, 2009 at 1:20 am
Mr. Manto is right. The peolple of Trible Areas of Pakistan have 7 seat in National Assembly of Pakistan, even they do not want to be a part of Pakistan. On the other hand the Gilgit and Baltistan people are so patriot that they want to become the part of Pakistan but unfortunately the Pakistani Government never takes any serious notice, no seat in National Assembly and Senate for them.
Just changing name of governance means, to pour fresh wine in same old bottle.
Ridiculous,,,,,hahahaha
6 Noor // Sep 2, 2009 at 9:41 am
If occupation can make one region “integral part” of another region, then Pakistan is still part of the British Empire.
Saying that Gilgit - Baltistan is part of Kashmir is incorrect and ill intentioned.
The fact is that Gilgit - Baltistan have a separate identity; a fact established by the special status given to the region by the GoP.
We sympathize with Kashmiri brothers and have waited in vain for resoltuion of their issue but 62 years are too long.
Now, Giglit - Baltistan will have its own legislative assembly, a move that might be lacking in substance but highly important symbolically.
We are thankful to Pakistan for making the first right move, in the journey towards complete restoration of autonomy for our region.
7 Abdul Nasir // Sep 15, 2009 at 4:33 pm
The main problem in Pakistan is that whenever a party comes in power it begins to do take steps without consulting the others and in this respect even the stake holders like the benefectors and the beneficiaries are ignored absolutely. Same was the case in the formation of the province of the Gilgit Baltistan. The formation of this province was neither the part of the PPP election menifesto nor it was referred to the public opinion rather most of the people were not aware of the fact as to whether there was any such territory which needed to be made as a separate province or not nor they knew as to what was the demand of the concerned people. I am fully concious of the fact that whenever the consensus of the public is desired in this process only those should be included who are much concern with the same but in the present matter I say that the opinion of even those people were necessary to be called who had no direct concern with this province because the formation of a province is not petty matter. It needs to be juxta posed with the other provinces. If you do not do justice among the provinces or you deprive the newly established province the people would definitely resist and ultimately due to the upsurge in one province the life in the other province would automatically affected. So the best solution of this issue was that the government should have called several conferences in all the beg cities of the country and should have developped some consensus among the public with regard to the boundaries, nature of the government over there, its affilliation with Pakistan, its relation with the Azad Kashmir and many other matters. But alas it is too late to comment and give any idea.
8 ali // Sep 18, 2009 at 5:31 am
what?how can he be the agent of raw!mr our region of gilgit and baltistan is very important ok,he is the person who has taken a stand for our rights.
9 Tipo Sultan // Sep 26, 2009 at 1:01 am
People who are saying , that this part of the country is not the part of Pakistan , they are foreign agent getting little money, making their own people fool,trators,cheap thinkers selfish,making lot of money with unfair means,selling their own people,playing god,speaking untruth, will burn in hel, shameless devils,Insha Allah God will punish them those who are not sincere with their own nation.GOD BLESS PAKISTAN.
10 Sindhia // Oct 1, 2009 at 3:36 am
Kashmiris are sacrificing their lives for Pakistan. And they and Chitrali and Biltistani have to work out whether Chitral and Biltistan to be part of Kashmir or be a separate province of Pakistan. It is all Pakistan. look at it from any angle. Pakistan Paindahbad.
11 Kabool Shah // Oct 1, 2009 at 10:52 am
Gilgit was part of Kashmir for centuries. From 1947 it remained a part of Azad Kashmir until 1972 when ZAB seperated it from Kashmir. It was the intention of the farsighted leader to make it into an autonomous region. The purpose was perhaps to maintain Pakistans doorway with China (The Karakuram Highway) in case of some settlement of Kashmir by which Kasmir became a independent state.
As far as I know the people of Baltistan have not opposed this prospect.
This small tribes and communities of mountain people in Baltistan were part of Kashmir in old times because they were tied to the rulers of Sirinagar by trade and geography. They sold their raw materials to the manufacturers of Sirinagar and the rulers respected their independence.
The present Azad Kashmir was also under the rule of the Sirinagar rulers and the people of Poonch ( Azad Kashmir since 1947) were not strictly considered Kashmiris till after Partition. In fact it took more than a decade to convince the people to call themselves Kashmiris as they prefderred to be known as Poonchis or by their tribal description (thoonds and Suddans) The people of Azad speak a dialect of Punjabi called pahari which has little in common with the Kashir spoken by the Kashmiris and more in common with the language of Potohar. It is also very different from the Balti.
The politicians can understand these intricacies and work out a solution for living together so let us hope that they get the chance to do so.
12 Rehmat // Oct 8, 2009 at 11:12 am
As the history says that, the Kashmiries wanted to enter in the Gilgit but this is the braveness of people who fought them and push back them to kashmir.And in 1974 the N.A became a FANA of Pakistan by the Great Mr.Bhutto.Now the people of Gilgit Baltistan will decide in election that, what they want?
So please don,t say anything or you can not comment about Gilgit without knowing the history or wish of people.Regarding Manto’s openion think just openion.
13 ghullam rasool peshawri // Oct 9, 2009 at 3:51 am
the people of giltgit baltistan district have been deprived of their rights in the past but now under the government of PPP and under the leadership of our president asif ali zardari the dream of shaeed mohtarma banazir bhutto has been fullfiled … and the people of gilgit and baltistan will get their full rights….
and i am a reponsible and dedicated member of PPP..
GHULLAM RASOOL PESHAWRI
03455936609
peshawri mohalla sukamadan opposit bhutto bazar skardu..
14 Kabool Shah // Oct 16, 2009 at 12:16 pm
@Rehamat
It must have been 1974. Thank you for the correction.
But what kind of a country is Pakistan where large areas are federally administered with limited jurisdiction of the state.
I have not read of such a sovereign state in Political science. Does it not disqualify Pakistan from becomming a member of UN as an incomplete state. Under which international law has Pakistan assumed power to administer these areas or diluted its sovereignty over these areas. these questions may be too serious for responsible and dedicated pipliyas but I want answers and i want them now if you have any brains to work with.
@ghullam rasool peshawri
The people of baltistan have suffered under the cruel Punjabi and mahajir beurocracy and now they will get their rights even if the rights come from the Governor of Lalamusa.
looked everywhere in Skardu for this address but could not find. This code is also not from Skardu.
I hope you were not trying make fun of me by giving this false address because if you are you will make me angry and than you will not be safe from me anywhere in Pakistan.
15 misbah khan // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:41 am
nice conversation i read all of u . if someone wll say truth u pakis made him indian agent . u shuld have de ability to listen truth .yes g&b r not part of pak . read history .
according to de article 1 of the constitution of pak 1973 de northen areas donot fall wthin the territorial limits of pak
according to the maps issued by survey of pak or printed by oxford atkas /world atlas bartholomew1985 historical atlas of world bank,uno,THE AREA OF GILGIT AND BILTISTAN IS SHOWN AS PART AND PARCEL OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
IT is matter of fact and record that on the day of independence of pak i.e 14th august 1947 the gilgit and biltistan were the part of jammu and kashmir state and brig Ginsahara singh ,a cousin of maharaja hari singh dogra ruler of jammu and kashmir stae ,was the governer of the province of ladakh gilgit and baltistan
and now come to the present situation ,pakistan ko ab kese khyal aa gya g&b ka k usey pak ka province banaya jai kiu k
1 sawat operation k bad pak ki tourism industry bhut mutasir ho gai hai aur tourists k liye g&b hi attrective place hai 62 years se pak ne g&b k awam k bunyadi hakuk aur fascilities ka khyal kiu nai aya
2 pak sawat terz ka operation g&b men b kr k g&b ka amen taba krna chahta hai yahan k log bhut hi peaceful hain lkn g&b ko province banaey ki announcement k sath hi wahan halat khrab kr diye gai
people of g&b r so innocent they r not aweare of thier rights and pak is getting bebenifits from all that pak is using thier resourses forests minerels water bt in return pak is giving them no thing just poverty ,illiteracy.
16 Tipo Sultan // Nov 13, 2009 at 3:08 am
hei misba what are you, take care of you and mind your own business, you understand me becareful what you write I am warning you first and the last time.OK
17 Kabool Shah // Nov 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm
yar dekho agar kissy illakay kay logon ko apnay hakook mill rahay hain to is main kya burai hai. Jis tareekay say bhi in baycharoan ko kuch self rule ka aaghaaz ho raha hai to kuch acha he ho raha hai nan.
mazaak kay illawa yeh log are very peace loving and straightforward. They are mostly very good natured and have suffered a lot.
Chahay province bunnay ya Azad Kashmir ki terz per democracy ho kuch faraq naheen parta agar yehaan kay log is ko accept kertay hain.
aik bar in ki elected government bun jai to federal government in kay sath wo slook naheen ker sakay gi jo wo kerti rahi hai.
I dont know about misbah khan but I have taken the great sultan seriously and will be carefull about what i write
18 ejaz khan // Jan 6, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Gillgit Baltestan .pepol,s thay want atonoma provens.Gillgit Baltestan is not part of kashmer . Gillgit Baltestan hawe own idntite Gillgit Baltestan pepols want to pakistan . bat indepandant prowans not like kashmer camplet indepandant .autonoma provincia .like 15 autonoma pro.in uropa italy span franch . autonoma provincia Gillgit Baltestan.in pakistan
19 Hina Khan // Jan 16, 2010 at 6:58 am
to Kabool Shah,
pahari is nothing like punjabi u stupid bitch punjabi. stop trying to subvert our culture
20 mamtaz nagri advocate ex chairman karakoromnational movement // Feb 1, 2010 at 3:34 pm
mr abid hassan minto is rearly sincier person of pakistan infected who person international agencies agent who giving news or comments out of real ground who not like that the problame immegatly sold of kashmir and get counstitutnol right of gilgit baltistan/karokorom gilgitbaltistan part of kashmir dispute therefore gilgitbaltistan/karokoram and azad kashmir under kashmir afair ministry our people litirate that time whos people sensier op gilgit baltistan who only patworker and whoes agent of international agencies
21 mamtaz nagri advocate ex chairman karakorom national movement // Feb 1, 2010 at 3:38 pm
mr abid hassan minto is rearly sincier person of pakistan infected whos person international agencies agent who giving news or comments out of real ground who not like that the problame immegatly sold of kashmir and get counstitutnol right of gilgit baltistan/karokorom gilgitbaltistan part of kashmir dispute therefore gilgitbaltistan/karokoram and azad kashmir under kashmir afair ministry our people litirate that time whos people sensier op gilgit baltistan who only patworker and whoes agent of international agencies jia knm jia awm
22 hira zahid // Feb 13, 2010 at 10:54 pm
gilgit baltistan is a very important region of our country. i should mention it that it is the most beautiful places in the world. we should not ignore such a heavenly area and say it a part of kashmir. in my opinion it should be raised to the level of province and should be given all rights.
23 ZULFIQAR AHMED BUTT // Feb 23, 2010 at 2:15 am
GILGIT IS THE PART OF AJK. IT IS NOT THE PART OF PAKISTAN. SO, ITS PRESENT STATUS AS PROVINCE SHOULD BE TERMINATED. WE SHOULD PRESENT THIS ISSUE IN UNO. OF CURSE KASHMIR WILL BECOME THE PART OF PAKISTAN AS PROVINCE. BUT BEFORE FREEDOM FROM INDIA THE GOVT. OF PAK SHOULD NOT DO WORK LIKE THIS. KASHMIR BANY GA PAKISTAN. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD:
KASHMIR KI AZADI TAK INDIA KI BARBADI TAK GANG LARAIN GAY JANG. INSHAH ALLAH.
24 ZULFIQAR AHMED BUTT // Feb 23, 2010 at 2:20 am
FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT WITH ME IN
kashmiri.boys@yahoo.com
25 J P Dhar // Feb 23, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@Zulfiqar Ahmad Butt
OKAY
but why do you want jang and Barbadi. What difference does it make wether you live on this side or that side. Life is the same.
If you are really fond of jang you can go to Afghanistan where the US soldiers are enjoying this sport.
I have applied for visa to visit Gilgit and Skardu this summer. Can you guide me what to see there.
26 Wajahat Ali QAMAR // Mar 10, 2010 at 5:28 pm
What ever Mr Minto has said is not the facr.
he may be agent of RAW.Or he wants us to be disputed like Kashmiri people.
He should not tell so.
Great GILGIT BALTISTAN was the part of Pakistan is the part of Pakistan and will be the part of pakistan in future…….
we condum such statements in which people try us to make p0art of Kashmir…………..
GILGIT BALTISTAN…… ZINDABAD
PAKISTAN PAIENDABAD
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