KARACHI: Ladakh-Baltistan United Front yesterday [Oct 3] threatened to resort to drastic measures including hunger strike if political and fundamental rights of the people of Baltistan and Gilgit were not restored within 15 days.

Speaking at a Press conference held at Hotel Jabees, Mr Naseem Changazi, Chairman of the Front, explained the situation created by the isolation of Gilgit and Baltistan from Azad Kashmir. He also urged the lifting of Frontier Crimes Regulation from the area.

He said, since ages, Baltistan and Gilgit were part of Azad Kashmir. But after they opted for Pakistan within 19 days of independence, their status remained undefined. They do not know whether they belong to Azad Kashmir or Pakistan.

Mrs H.B. Malika Baltistani, Vice-Chairman of the Front, said that the students of Gilgit and Baltistan had seats reserved in Medical and Engineering Colleges but they were always deprived of their right somehow or the other. Moreover, the limited number of scholarships for students was insufficient, she pointed out. ...

Mr Khawaja Ghulam Mohiuddin of Jammu and Kashmir Mahas-i-Rai Shumari said that they will boycott the coming general elections if the people of Baltistan and Gilgit were not given voting rights.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2020