‘Jihad ka yaar hai, Gaddar hai Gaddar Hai’ slogans raised by locals in PoK against atrocities of Islamabad
Tarar Khel, November 27: “Jihad ka yaar hai, Gaddar hai Gaddar Hai” slogan was raised during the massive protests called by the local civilians including women and children demanding an end of Pakistani occupation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Notably, a massive anti-Pakistan protest was held on Saturday in the Tarar Khel, an area of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a large number of local civilians including women and children gathered and raised slogans demanding an end of Pakistani occupation. The slogans were raised by locals also included “Jihad ka yaar hai, Gaddar hai Gaddar Hai”.
The protestors also raised their voice with pro-independence slogans blaming the Pakistan Army and the police for human rights violation, atrocities on innocent civilians, spreading terrorism etc. The protestors also blamed Pakistani rulers for discriminatory policies for the past 70 years in PoK. However, a large number of political activists, members of civil society and students also participated in the protests.
Importantly, the residents of PoK have been facing numerous issues as they alleged of being treated as second-class citizens under the Pakistani rules. Also, recently, many incidents have been reported where the security forces kidnapped and tortured the political activists, especially the youth, who raised their voices against the Pakistani occupation and exploitation of their natural resources.
Earlier in the month, the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) held a series of demonstrations and conventions against the kidnapping of political activists from the PoK. People held banners that said: "Stop abductions and enforced disappearances in so-called Azad Kashmir," and carried out a rally in Rawalpindi. They also raised slogans for freedom from Pakistan and also asked China to leave their occupied territory.
Amongst four provinces of Pakistan, Balochistan, Sindh and PoK are demanding for its independence due to Islamabad’s worst rule and apathy towards the people of this regions.
BACKGROUND:
Pakistan is the biggest violator of United Nations resolutions as it did not withdraw its army from Gilgit-Baltistan ever. According to the resolution passed by United Nations in 1949, both Indian and Pakistani government supposed to withdraw their army from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan agreed that “its troops are to withdraw from the state; and that it will use its best endeavors to secure the withdrawal of tribesmen and Pakistan nationals not normally residing in the state who entered the purpose of fighting.”
Later, Pakistani government also promised to the United Nations Organization for respect free political activity in Gilgit-Baltistan. But Pakistan, as usual, didn’t keep its promise and violated all the human rights rules. Pakistani army killed innocent peoples of Gilgit-Baltistan, kidnapped those who raised their voice for the freedom of state etc.
Earlier, Gilgit-Baltistan was treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. However, it has regional assembly and an elected Chief Minister.
Gilgit-Baltistan is a legitimate part of Jammu and Kashmir when the accession document was signed by Raja Hari Singh in 1947. But the betrayal of some British officers and raised communal sentiments hijacked the Gilgit-Baltistan at that time. The map of Jammu and Kashmir features the area as part of India.
In 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded the Shaksgam Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan to China in a 1963 border agreement. The area is significant to both Pakistan and China as the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through the region. Interestingly, it is also believed that due to China’s pressure Pakistan is planning to declare Gilgit-Baltistan its 5th Province.
The Gilgit-Baltistan occupied by Pakistan covers 85,793 sq km and is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. It has a regional assembly and an elected chief minister. The area was divided in 1970 into two: Mirpur-Muzaffarabad (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) and the Federally Administered Gilgit-Baltistan.