GILGIT: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday emphasized the need to renew the collective resolve of transforming Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) into a model region of development, justice, and equality. He was addressing a grand ceremony marking the 78th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan from Dogra rule, held at the Army Helipad Ground in Gilgit.
Paying tribute to the valiant people of the region, President Zardari said that for over seven decades, the people of G-B had stood shoulder to shoulder with the rest of Pakistan, safeguarding its borders and contributing to national progress. “You have carried the flag of Pakistan to the world’s highest peaks. This region is not only the crown of Pakistan but also our northern gateway and a symbol of our lasting friendship with China,” he remarked.
Referring to the Karakoram Highway as a “living monument” of Pakistan-China cooperation, the President said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had opened new avenues of trade, connectivity, and livelihood for G-B. He urged that the benefits of CPEC must reach every village and valley to ensure shared prosperity.
President Zardari also paid homage to the martyrs of the 1947 liberation movement, noting that 1,700 locals had sacrificed their lives while thousands were injured during the struggle against Dogra rule. He termed G-B his “second home” and praised its people for choosing to join Pakistan through their own will.
Highlighting the Pakistan Peoples Party’s historic role in G-B’s progress, the President recalled that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had abolished the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) in 1974 and merged the princely states into one administrative unit, while Shaheed Benazir Bhutto introduced governance reforms.
Zardari stressed the importance of developing education, healthcare, energy, and tourism sectors, suggesting that G-B could even establish its own airline to boost tourism. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), vowing support for their right to self-determination.
The ceremony was attended by Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, senior military officials, legislators, and a large number of citizens. Cultural performances representing all three divisions of G-B drew great applause, reflecting the region’s vibrant heritage and unity.
