Gilgit-Baltistan one of my favourite places on earth: PM Imran

Premier shares mesmerising pictures of the region before the onset of winter on his Twitter handle

Sharing mesmerising pictures of Gilgit-Baltistan on social media on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that G-B is one of his "favourite places" on earth.

"The colours of Gilgit Baltistan just before the onset of winter. One of my favourite places on this earth," the premier wrote on his official Twitter handle.

The colours of Gilgit Baltistan just before the onset of winter. One of my favourite places on this earth. pic.twitter.com/qdhGqkZ2Fx

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 6, 2020

 

During his visit on November 1, PM Imran had announced the provisional provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan while addressing on the 73rd Independence Day celebrations.

"I want to pay tribute to G-B scouts and those martyrs who gave sacrifices and freed this region. I wanted to congratulate people of G-B on another thing: our decision to give G-B provincial status. This decision has been taken while keeping in view the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions."

Every year on November 1, the region of G-B officially celebrates its independence from Kashmir’s Dogra family rule. Gilgit was liberated on November 1, 1947 while Baltistan was freed in 1948 as a result of a bloody freedom war.

 

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan Speech at Gilgit-Baltistan Independence Day Parade in Gilgit (01.11.20)

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan Speech at Gilgit-Baltistan Independence Day Parade in Gilgit (01.11.20) #PrimeMinisterImranKhan #Pakistan 🇵🇰 #73IndependenceDayGB Prime Minister Imran Khan says the government has decided to give provisional provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan keeping in view the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. He was addressing the Azadi Parade ceremony in connection with the 73rd Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan in Gilgit on Sunday. The Prime Minister paid tribute to Gilgit Scouts and martyrs who sacrifices their lives for the liberation of this region. He also lauded the role of Pakistan's security forces for successfully combating the war against terrorism and foiling attempts by the enemies to destabilize the country. Imran Khan said terrorism is being carried out in our country under a plan and our valiant security forces are standing against it and rendering their lives for the defence of motherland. He said a strong army is indispensable for a country to protect its sovereignty and solidarity. He said Modi government in India is the most extremist government and they are pursing the Hindutva ideology, perpetrating brutalities on innocent Kashmiri people. The Prime Minister said rule of law is vital for progress and prosperity of Pakistan and those who want to discredit Pakistan Army and judiciary they are speaking the language of Modi. He said the government is focusing on development of all backward areas of the country. Earlier, addressing the ceremony, the Caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Mir Afzal Khan said armed forces of Pakistan have rendered lives for the security of the country. He also paid tribute to martyrs of Gilgit-Baltistan who sacrificed their lives for independence. The Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon in his remarks said Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan reminds us the sacrifices of our martyrs. He said that incumbent federal government is making serious efforts to bring this region in mainstream. He also criticized the irresponsible statements of opposition leaders against state institutions.

Posted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Sunday, November 1, 2020

 

This is not the first time PM Imran expressed his fondness about the picturesque region. Speaking at a ceremony in G-B in November last year, he had also appreciated the beauty of the region. “I’ve seen the whole world but the beauty in Gilgit-Baltistan I’ve never seen anywhere.”

He said that many tourist spots have been opened in the area to promote tourism in G-B which he termed as the gateway of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

G-B went to the election on November 15 to elect 24 lawmakers of the legislative assembly on general seats. The voting was held on 23 seats as the election was delayed because of the death of a candidate.

Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which aims to promote tourism in the region and the country, won the majority of the seats during the elections.

On November 26, the G-B chief election commissioner had announced the official results of the election, along with the allocation of 9 reserved seats for women and technocrats. According to the notification, the PTI gained two-thirds majority with the joining of six independent lawmakers.

According to the official results, the PTI had 22 seats in the 33-strong house. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) followed with 5 and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) 3. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and independent share one seat each.