HUNZA, Sept 26 People of Hunza as part of their ongoing protest drive organised a big rally under the aegis of All Hunza Action Committee (AHAC) here on Friday for acceptance of their demands. They were demanding an additional seat in Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) before the forthcoming election.

This was the third major public protest after the successful events in Aliabad and Nasirabad Hunza.

The speakers condemned the discriminatory attitude of successive governments towards Hunza and resolved to boycott the election under the present arrangement. They said the movement was to safeguard the interests of Hunza. They also rejected the establishment of Hunza-Nagar district without granting an additional seat for Hunza in GBLA.The protesters informed that Hunza was given the status of additional district in 1974 due to its geo-strategic importance which was later abolished in Zia regime and now Hunza had a single seat despite the fact that its population had crossed 60,000 mark. They said the educated youth of Hunza faced discrimination in public sector jobs.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Abid Hussain, chairman AHAC resolved to continue the struggle till the government announced the seat. He requested the political parties to forge unity to intensify the movement.

Noor Mohammad, general Secretary of AHAC said the people of Hunza had always fought for the stability of Pakistan and deserved an additional seat for Hunza.

Advocate Ehsan Ali, chief of Labour Party Boloristan blamed the former representatives for not projecting the interests of the people of Hunza. He said he was struggling since 1994 for this seat which the other parties had always ignored.

Brig (retired) Hissamullah Baig while stressing the need to use civilised and educated ways in this struggle said the sacrifices of the people of Hunza for the country forced him to join the protest for their legitimate rights.

Baba Jan, chief of Progressive Youth Front Hunza warned against elements trying to politicise the issue. He stressed the need to intensify the struggle at village level.

Ghazanfar Ali Khan, former chief executive of Gilgit-Baltistan assured to extend all support to the committee for this common cause. He, however, called for having meetings with high government officials in this regard.

Fida Karim, president of the local chapter of the PPP said they were still hopeful that Hunza would get the seat as the party had always considered the rights of the marginalised people.

Other speakers included Mirbaz Khan, Sultan Madad, Amanullah Khan, Ikram Najmi, Irfan Ali Irfan, Ghulam Murtaza, Alamgir Hussain, Sher Khan, Karim Khan, Gul Baz, Nambardar Shanawar and Hoor Shah. In the end, the protesters marched from Karimabad to Ganish and chanted slogans for their legitimate rights. The committee announced to organise the next public protest in Gojal.