ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that the freedom of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) stands as a powerful reminder of the unfinished struggle of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Addressing the central ceremony marking G-B’s 78th Independence Day, President Zardari praised the region’s historic role in national defence, progress, and regional connectivity. “You have guarded our borders and carried Pakistan’s flag to the world’s highest peaks,” he said after inspecting a ceremonial parade in Gilgit.
Calling G-B “Pakistan’s crown, northern gateway, and a symbol of lasting friendship with China,” Zardari said the region represents unity and strategic strength. He described the Karakoram Highway as a “living monument” of Pakistan-China partnership and said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened new doors of opportunity. “The benefits of CPEC must reach every valley and village,” he emphasized.
The president also paid rich tribute to the martyrs of G-B’s freedom movement, recalling how the people of the region gained their liberty from Dogra rule and chose to join Pakistan. However, he said their independence also highlights the continuing plight of Kashmiris under Indian occupation.
“While you enjoy freedom under Pakistan’s flag, our Kashmiri brothers and sisters still face oppression,” he said. “Pakistan will stand by them until they achieve their right to self-determination in line with UN resolutions.”
Zardari further highlighted G-B’s vast potential in tourism, hydropower, education, and healthcare, urging better connectivity and even exploring a possible regional airline to enhance accessibility and development.
Earlier, the president was received by G-B Governor and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, who presented him with a traditional cap before the parade ceremony.
In his address, Chief Minister Gulbar Khan said the people of G-B remain patriotic and peaceful, recalling that on November 1, 1947, they freed themselves from Dogra rule without external help and voluntarily joined Pakistan. He said stronger integration with the national mainstream would fulfill the long-held aspirations of the people and counter the “nefarious designs of Pakistan’s adversaries.”
The chief minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable development, better resource distribution, and a prosperous, united Gilgit Baltistan built on the sacrifices of its martyrs.
