Gilgit-Baltistan PML-Q candidates’ use Musharraf’s face in campaigning

November 6th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - In an apparent bid to ensure his party's victory in the forthcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif has deviously played the 'Kashmir' card. Addressing an election rally in Gilgit-Baltistan's Ghanchay region, Sharif said he does not mince words to deceive people and stressed that 'the day is not far when Kashmir will be free.' Nawaz urged the people to make the 'Lion', PML-N's symbol, emerge victorious in the November 12 elections.

November 5th, 2009 BRUSSELS - Some members of the European Parliament have expressed "great concern" over Pakistan imposing its rule in Gilgit Baltistan rather than allowing the people to decide their political future. The EU members have formed a group called "Friends of Gilgit-Baltistan", which will "monitor very carefully all developments that take place" in the strategic border region, a part of the Pakistan-administered Kashmir where elections for its first assembly are scheduled Nov 12.

November 5th, 2009 SRINAGAR - Hundreds of separatist leaders in Gilgit-Baltistan, part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, have been arrested and sent off to Islamabad ahead of the Nov 12 assembly elections in the strategic border region, says a prominent leader of the region that has recently been given the powers of a federal province. "Top leaders of the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) have been detained by the Pakistan occupying regime," Abdul Hamid Khan, the chairperson of the Balawaristan National Front (BNF), wrote to IANS in an email.

November 4th, 2009 LAHORE - Terming the Gilgit-Baltistan reforms as a 'colonial-type' package, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has said that it would stage a long march to Islamabad on November 5 (Thursday) demanding the withdrawal of the package. Interacting with media persons during a press conference here, JKLF president Syed Faisal Nazki criticised the package saying the powers would not be vested in the people of the region but in the Gilgit-Baltistan Council.

October 23rd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Kashmiris from all walks of life observed a "Black Day" in Pakistan Kashmir, including capital Muzaffarabad, on Thursday on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the invasion of the area by Pakistani army men disguised as tribesmen from the North West Frontier of Province (NWFP), known as the Lashkars. A large number of people, carrying black flags and protest placards, participated in demonstrations held in various parts of Pakistan Kashmir.

October 19th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - In the wake of a series of terror attacks across Pakistan, the federal government has decided to close all schools and colleges for at least a week. According to the Daily Times, all government-run educational institutions and prestigious private colleges have been ordered to remain shut in all major cities, cantonments, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistani-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

September 30th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, it seems, makes a special mention in his diary that he has to rake up the Kashmir issue in each of his speeches, as he has once again linked friendly relations with India to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Addressing a public gathering in Pakistan occupied Kashmir's Gilgit, Gilani said 'good relations' with India were not possible without the settlement of the Kashmir issue.

September 11th, 2009 NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD - India Friday protested against Pakistan's new autonomy package for the Northern Areas of Kashmir, renamed as Gilgit-Baltistan, and the construction of the proposed 7,000 MW Bunji dam in this region with Chinese assistance. Pakistan, however, said the protest was uncalled for.

September 11th, 2009 ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI - Pakistan Friday rejected the Indian protest over the Gilgit-Baltistan empowerment and self-governance order, saying New Delhi had no locus standi in the matter. The rejection came on the day two protest notes were handed over to the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi by the Indian external affairs ministry on Gilgit-Baltistan and the construction of the 7,000 MW Bunji Dam in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Online news agency reported.

September 9th, 2009 With the signing of the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009 by President Asif Ali Zardari Sep 7, the Pakistan government has taken the first step towards amalgamating this strategically significant part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir into Pakistan. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government has patted itself on the back for undertaking far-reaching administrative, political, financial and judicial reforms in this region.

September 7th, 2009 LONDON - The Supreme Council of the KNP held an important meeting in Luton on September 6, which was presided by the party Chairman Abbas Butt. The meeting discussed and analysed the current situation of the Kashmiri struggle and made important decisions.

September 5th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has once again said that Islamabad would continue its support to the Kashmiri people and the government's decision to give autonomy to Gilgit Baltistan does not mean that it has shelved the Kashmir issue. "We gave internal autonomy, sovereignty to Gilgit Baltistan which was a long standing demand of its people but this does not mean that we have forgotten the Kashmir issue.

September 5th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan government's new administrative reforms for the Northern Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan, have not gone down well within the political leadership of the region. The reforms, which allow autonomy to the region, have been severely criticised by leaders of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), who demanded that all the leaders from Kashmir must be thoroughly consulted before such important decisions are taken.

September 4th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The recent administrative reforms for the Northern Areas, officially known as Gilgit Baltistan, announced by the Pakistan government, is primarily aimed at providing a better security cover for the rapidly growing Chinese interests in the region, an analyst has said. According to Quetta-based development analyst, Syed Fazl-e-Haider, the reforms, which were announced last week, are targeted at providing an enhanced security cover for the region which has seen some massive Chinese investments in the recent past.

August 11th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Endorsing statements of the Foreign Office regarding the death of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud, Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said all doubts over Mehsud's death would be cleared after his dead body is found. Interacting with media persons in Gilgit, Kaira said: "Mehsud's corpse will ascertain his death." Commenting on constitutional reforms for the Northern Areas, Kaira said new taxes would be levied.