GILGIT – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday demanded full constitutional rights for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), declaring that the region’s people have waited too long to be fully integrated into Pakistan after defeating Dogra rule. Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of Chief Minister Amjad Advocate, Bilawal outlined a three-pronged agenda of political rights, land ownership, and employment for the region.
Historical Grievances and PPP’s Legacy
Bilawal recalled that Pakistan responded to GB’s struggle for freedom by imposing the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) system, which was later abolished by former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He credited former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto for laying the foundation of politics in GB and former President Asif Ali Zardari for granting administrative rights and identity to the region. “A new generation has emerged to continue the struggle of GB,” he said.
Demand for Constitutional Status
>The PPP chairman emphasized that GB should receive constitutional rights alongside its interim status. “I want to see the day when representatives of GB sit alongside me in the National Assembly, and that day is not far,” he said. Bilawal noted that the people of GB gave his party a mandate based on three principles: the right to rule, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. He pledged to convince the federal government and other political parties to grant constitutional rights to GB.
Economic Vision for GB
Bilawal advocated for land ownership rights, suggesting that after achieving this, people should form farming collectives with public-private partnerships to ensure profits reach local communities. On employment, he said the PPP believes it is the government’s responsibility to provide jobs to youth based on merit, as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
Unity and Political Cooperation
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for acknowledging the PPP’s mandate, Bilawal assured PML-N representatives that the PPP would not treat them as opposition. “We will work unitedly to address people’s issues,” he said, also thanking the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), and PTI-backed candidates for supporting the historic election of the GB chief minister.
He called for local body elections in GB before winter, stressing that every citizen would be treated equally regardless of political allegiance.
Security and Geopolitical Challenges
Bilawal praised soldiers guarding GB’s borders, saying they protect the region and Kashmir while facing India. He accused India of adopting an “Israeli model” after suffering a “historic defeat” at the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces. “We know what Modi intends to do by using Afghanistan against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and eyeing GB and Azad Kashmir,” he said, vowing that such conspiracies would fail.
Indus Water Treaty and Kashmir
Warning India against using the Indus River as a weapon, Bilawal declared, “From GB to Larkana, we will raise the slogan ‘Marsoon Marsoon, Sindhu na Desoon’ (We will die but not give up the Indus).” He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Indus Water Treaty.
On Kashmir, he announced that the PPP’s manifesto for Azad Kashmir elections would mirror that of GB, focusing on the same three rights. He called for a Joint Constitutional Convention for Azad Kashmir and GB if the PPP wins, and urged all parties to participate in elections. “Azad Kashmir and GB the Kohinoor of Pakistan’s economy,” he said, concluding with the slogan, “Panchon Soobon ki Zangeer, Benazir Benazir.”
