Balawaristan National Front
The Balawaristan National Front is a political party seeking the independence of what they call Balawaristan (officially known as the Gilgit-Baltistan) located in Pakistan.
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[edit] Background
Balawaristan is a historic name for the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, the party considers Baltistan a part or Balawaristan as well. The party was formed on July 30, 1992 under the Chairmanship of Nawaj Khan Naji. In 1947 at the time of partition the people of the area were predominantly Shia Muslims. However over the years the ethnic composition has been changed as non Kashmiri Pakistanis have settled in this area leading to discontent. A 2008 report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees determined that Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which includes Gilgit-Baltistan, was 'Not Free'. It also criticized the Pakistani Government saying 'The appropriation of land in the Northern Areas by non-Kashmiri migrants from elsewhere in Pakistan, with the tacit encouragement of the federal government and army, has led to dwindling economic opportunities for the local population and an increase in sectarian tension between the majority Shia Muslims and a growing number of Sunnis.'[1] India asserts Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral part of India.[2]
[edit] Political Positions
The party does not consider areas of Gilgit and Baltistan to be legally or constitutionally part of Pakistan. It demands freedom for that part of the world. It does not want to join Pakistan for religious or any other reason.[3] It condemns the religious and sectarian games played against its people by Pakistan and its intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence[4] It opposes the attempts of the Pakistani administration to alter the demographic profile of the area, reducing the indigenous people to a minority. It opposes what is sees as the Pakistan government's attempts to impose Wahhabi Islam on the region's predominantly Shia population.[5] [6]
[edit] Activities
In 2000 the party accused Pakistan of settling 'terrorists, drug and arms smugglers, and Taliban activists in Balawaristan to convert indigenous people into a minority.'[7]
In June 2002 in an interview with Yoginder Sikand Abdul Hamid Khan accused Pakistan of treating people of Gilgit-Baltistan as virtual slaves and blamed Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence of fomenting sectarian violence between Shias, Sunnis and Ismailis.[3]
Khan claimed that dozens of Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders were hiding in Balawaristan with the help of Pakistani military and ISI. He released a list of 30 militants who he believed were in Balawaristan in a letter to Kofi Annan of the United Nations.[8][9]
On November 3, 2003 Nawaz Khan Najee who was then chairman of party participated in a rally demanding United Nations intervention regarding the status of Gilgit and Baltistan.[10]
In a letter dated November 24, 2004 party Chairman Abdul Hamid Khan presented a peace proposal for Kashmir to President Musharraf and Manmohan Singh. This was however not accepted by any party.[11]
In January 2005 11 people were killed in sectarian violence in Gilgit. Six of the dead belonged to a single family. Violence broke out after an attack on a local Shia leader.[12][13]
On January 3, 2005 Nawaz Khan Najee spoke at a seminar in Rawalpindi demanding an independent Bolor state.[14]
On April 25, 2007 European Union published a report entitled 'on Kashmir: present situation and future prospects'. Section 2 of the noted the absence of democracy in Gilgit Baltistan region and in section 32 deplored the human rights violations in this region.[15] Partly as a result of this President Pervez Musharraf announced a package for the Northern Areas[16]
A 2-day conference on Gilgit Baltistan was held on April 8–9, 2008 at the European Parliament in Brussels under the auspices of International Kashmir Alliance. Here several members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concern over the human rights violation in Gilgit Baltistan and urged the government of Pakistan to establish democratic institutions and rule of law in this area of northern Kashmir. Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman Balawaristan National Front speaking at the same conference said "no democratically elected representative (from Gilgit Baltistan) was included when Karachi Agreement was signed between Pakistan and Muslim Conference leaders in 1949." [17]
On June 8, 2008 the present Chairman Abdul Hamid Khan who currently lives in exile telephonically addressed a gathering at Gahkuch. He reiterated the demand for independence from Pakistan and deplored the sectarian violence and accused Pakistani intelligence agencies of creating sectarian tension.[18]
In 2009 Pakistan government implemented autonomy package for the people from Gilgit-Baltistan. This package was rejected as an eyewash by Balawaristan National Front whose spokesperson stated “It’s meant to detract the international community from the violation of human rights in this region.”[19]
In February 2011 Abdul Hamid Khan criticized the move to raise the issue of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan's assembly. He said "Marvi Maman's move in the Pakistan National Assembly is another trick of Pakistani hidden rulers to diffuse the international pressure about Gilgit Baltistan, her unwanted move by presenting herself as the representative of GB (Gilgit-Baltistan) is nothing but a drama on behalf of Pakistani hidden hands. Pakistan has only one option according to UNCIP resolutions, that is to withdraw its forces and civilians and handover the control to the people of Gilgit Baltistan under the supervision of the United Nations until a final settlement of the whole Jammu and Kashmir issue is reached."[20]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Freedom in the World 2008 - Kashmir (Pakistan), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2008-07-02
- ^ Gilgit-Baltistan is part of Kashmir, asserts India
- ^ a b 'Treated By Pakistan As Virtual Slaves', Outlook (magazine), 2002-06-28
- ^ Balawaristan National Front - party profile
- ^ Pakistan's heart of darkness, Asia Times, 2002-08-22
- ^ Balawaristan National Front, homepage, 2002-08-22
- ^ Pak settling ultras in PoK: BNF, The Tribune, 2000-11-15
- ^ Al-Qaida activists in PoK, The Tribune, 2002-10-10
- ^ Sectarian Violence Rooted in Pakistan, The Jamestown Foundation, 2005-05-25
- ^ UN asked to intervene on constitutional status for NAs, Daily Times (Pakistan), 2003-11-02
- ^ A Letter From Balwaristan, The South Asian
- ^ 11 killed in Gilgit violence, Dawn, 2005-01-09
- ^ Security alert for Shia funeral, BBC, 2005-01-14
- ^ Seminar demands independent Bolor state, Daily Times (Pakistan), 2005-01-03
- ^ on Kashmir: present situation and future prospects, European Union, 2007-04-25
- ^ Northern Areas to have elected local govts: President okays devolution package, Dawn, 2007-10-21
- ^ European Parliamentarians express concern for Gilgit Baltistan, German Information Center, New Delhi, 2008-04-12
- ^ Balawaristan: BNF chief Abdul Hamid's telephonic speech to a historic gathering at Gahkuch on June 8, 2008
- ^ Gilgit-Baltistan package termed an eyewash, Dawn (newspaper), 2009-08-30
- ^ "Pakistan has no right to discuss Gilgit-Baltistan in its parliament: BNF chief". Sify.com. 23 February 2011. http://www.sify.com/news/pakistan-has-no-right-to-discuss-gilgit-baltistan-in-its-parliament-bnf-chief-news-international-lcxvOedhhdh.html. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
[edit] External links
- Website of Balawaristan National Front
- Balawaristan Times
- The Human Rights Problem in Gilgit-Baltistan by Paul Beersmans, 2008-06-28
- We are neither Pakistanis nor Kashmiris-Interview with Nawaj Khan Naji Part 1, Rediff.com, 2004-03-15
- We are ready to fight against Pakistan-Interview with Nawaj Khan Naji Part 2. Rediff.com, 2004-03-16
- End reign of terror, deprivation in Gilgit, Baltistan, Emma Nicholson, member European Parliament, 2008-04-08
