GB students, youth stage protest outside press club
Protesters called for immediate steps to remove the sense of deprivation among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Dozens of students and youth belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) on Sunday staged a protest demonstration and took out a rally outside the Lahore Press Club (LPC) demanding internal autonomy of the region.
They were carrying placards, banners and shouted slogans in the favour of their demands.
The protest was organised by Awami Workers Party (AWP-GB), Progressive Youth Movement (PYM-GB) and the Youth of Gilgit-Baltistan residing in Lahore. The organisers said the protest was a part of a country-wide campaign that began on Sunday. In this regard, a protest was also staged outside the Islamabad Press Club.
Speaking on the occasion, a GB youth Dr Farhan Gohar, said it was unfortunate that the region had been kept economically deprived. He lamented the lack of health, education, infrastructure and other facilities to the people of GB. He also criticised that the people of GB had been deprived of their democratic rights. “Even minor decisions like the rate of wheat were decided by Islamabad,” he said.
Another protester, Mudabbir Ali, said as the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision removes all ambiguities as to the position of the state on GB. They demand the right to ascertain the structure of their governance and an end to the presidential orders. He further said political activists and youth of Gilgit-Baltistan have been engaged in discussion with each other after the Supreme Court’s decision was released on January 17.
“There shall be no compromise and we shall accept nothing less than what we demand. The decision has been taken in the light of recent verdict of the Supreme Court,” he said.
Another protester, Touseef Ali demanded that the elected body of legislators shall be responsible to ensure the ownership of resources, including in the subjects mentioned for GB Council, the upper house, through proper legislation as necessary.
Another protester, Yawar Abbass said the protesters categorically reject any presidential order instead of a constitution that was deemed to govern the region and would strongly protest for such move if it sustains.
Another participant, Haider Ali said owing to rising political estrangement in response to the federal government's negligent attitude for the past seven decades, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan feel that the necessary measures must be taken immediately in letter and spirit.
Dozens of students and youth belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) on Sunday staged a protest demonstration and took out a rally outside the Lahore Press Club (LPC) demanding internal autonomy of the region.
They were carrying placards, banners and shouted slogans in the favour of their demands.
The protest was organised by Awami Workers Party (AWP-GB), Progressive Youth Movement (PYM-GB) and the Youth of Gilgit-Baltistan residing in Lahore. The organisers said the protest was a part of a country-wide campaign that began on Sunday. In this regard, a protest was also staged outside the Islamabad Press Club.
Speaking on the occasion, a GB youth Dr Farhan Gohar, said it was unfortunate that the region had been kept economically deprived. He lamented the lack of health, education, infrastructure and other facilities to the people of GB. He also criticised that the people of GB had been deprived of their democratic rights. “Even minor decisions like the rate of wheat were decided by Islamabad,” he said.
Another protester, Mudabbir Ali, said as the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision removes all ambiguities as to the position of the state on GB. They demand the right to ascertain the structure of their governance and an end to the presidential orders. He further said political activists and youth of Gilgit-Baltistan have been engaged in discussion with each other after the Supreme Court’s decision was released on January 17.
“There shall be no compromise and we shall accept nothing less than what we demand. The decision has been taken in the light of recent verdict of the Supreme Court,” he said.
Another protester, Touseef Ali demanded that the elected body of legislators shall be responsible to ensure the ownership of resources, including in the subjects mentioned for GB Council, the upper house, through proper legislation as necessary.
Another protester, Yawar Abbass said the protesters categorically reject any presidential order instead of a constitution that was deemed to govern the region and would strongly protest for such move if it sustains.
Another participant, Haider Ali said owing to rising political estrangement in response to the federal government's negligent attitude for the past seven decades, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan feel that the necessary measures must be taken immediately in letter and spirit.