Winds of change: G-B CM hails prime minister’s speech at UN
Hafeezur Rahman. PHOTO: FILE
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman has hailed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the 70th UN General Assembly last week, saying it reflects the wishes of the region’s people.
Speaking to the media in Gilgit on Sunday, he said Nawaz raised the spectre of the Kashmir issue, a long-standing dispute that is among the reasons why the region remains in
constitutional limbo. “It was, no doubt, a daring speech,” Rahman said. “The prime minister’s speech reflects the wishes of the people of G-B.”
In his speech, Nawaz highlighted the long-standing international dispute, offensives against terrorism and put the ball in India’s court by offering a new four-point peace initiative.
Nawaz also pressed for
the demilitarisation of Kashmir and withdrawal of troops from Siachen. According to the prime minister, three generations of Kashmiris have repeatedly seen broken promises and brutal oppression.
Lawyers have repeatedly flayed successive governments for not giving G-B adequate representation in the Parliament and for not putting an end to the region’s constitutional limbo.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2015.