New Delhi (NVI): Amid severe criticism against the Pakistan government’s move to grant Provisional status to Gilgit-Baltistan, now lawyers in several parts of Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK) have taken to the streets against Imran Khan’s decision.
Lawyers in Mirpur, Rawlakot and other parts of POJK today held protests against the Pakistan government’s decision to forcibly make Gigit-Baltistan its fifth province.
The protesting lawyers have condemned the decision as illegal and unconstitutional. A large number of people also attended the lawyers’ protest to express solidarity with them.
“Lawyers in Mirpur, Rawlakot & other parts of POJK have held protests against making Gilgit-Baltistan a provisional province of Pakistan. A large number of public also attended the lawyers protests. Pakistani move is condemned as illegal & unconstitutional by the lawyers,” tweeted Sajjad Raja, Chairman of National Equality Party of Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan (NEPJKGBL).
Lawyers in Mirpur, Rawlakot & other parts of POJK have held protests against making Gilgit-Baltistan a provisional province of Pakistan. A large number of public also attended the lawyers protests. Pakistani move is condemned as illegal & unconstitutional by the lawyers. pic.twitter.com/yVo6SarFxG
— Prof. Sajjad Raja (@NEP_JKGBL) November 3, 2020
Despite the ongoing protests within Gilgit Baltistan province as well as around the world, Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Sunday announced the granting of provisional-provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan.
The same day, India slammed Pakistan for its attempt to accord provincial status to the “so-called Gilgit-Baltistan”, saying it is intended to camouflage the “illegal” occupation of the region by Islamabad.
Notably, Gilgit-Baltistan was annexed by Pakistan in October 1947 and since then it remains under illegal occupation.
There have been demands within Gilgit-Baltistan for freedom from Pakistan but those voices are suppressed with brute force by the Pakistani forces. There are numerous cases of brutality and atrocities to which the local populace of Gilgit-Baltistan are being subjected to.
-ARK
