GILGIT, Nov 1: The people of the Northern Areas celebrated the 55th independence day of Gilgit-Baltistan by holding seminars, cultural events, processions and rallies in all the five districts of the region.

The day is celebrated every year to pay homage to the martyrs of the Gilgit-Baltistan liberation movement.

The Dogra Raj was routed on November 1, 1947 by the Azad Forces and an area of 28,000sqkms was liberated, which now comprises Gilgit, Baltistan, Diamer, Ghizer and Gangche.

Speaking to a public rally at Chinar Bagh, Gilgit, the Northern Areas adviser for education, revenue and finance, Mr Saifur Rahman Khan, paid tributes to the war veteran of the liberation movement and urged the younger generation to take pride in their ancestor’s struggle.

Mr Khan also appreciated the present government’s reforms in the Northern Areas and hoped that these reforms would ensure greater participation of the local people in managing their affairs.

He also laid floral wreaths on the tombs of the martyrs.

In another rally, jointly organised by the Hasan Khan Memorial Society, the Gilgit-Baltistan National Alliance, the Baloristan Labor Party, the Gilgit-Baltistan Mutahida Talaba Mahaz and the All Parties National Alliance, at Gari Bagh Gilgit, speakers shed light on the history of the area, the changing global scenario and the status of Gilgit and Baltistan.

The speakers, including Syed Jafar Shah, president PPP NAs, Wajahat Hasan Khan, president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Thinkers Forum, Hussain Shah, Haider Shah Razvi, Qurban Ali, Sardar Ishtiaque Hussain, Shaukat Maqbool Butt and Farooq Niazi, spoke to the rally and said that the people of the Northern Areas should be granted their rights as granted by the constitution, without any delay.