Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By  Syed Shamsuddin   BUT NEVERTHELESS, a recent minute analysis and summation entitled ‘Conspiracy Not Sympathy’ by veteran journalist Muhammad Qasim Naseem from Gilgit-Baltistan – published in a reputed regional Urdu daily – causes much consternation in that it brings forth startling revelations in the context of the intent behind the resolution passed by AJK assembly on the behest of their prime minister. Surprisingly, the resolution pertaining to and aimed at demanding an AJK-like set up for Gilgit-Baltistan was anvilled and unanimously passed by the AJK assembly the other day which to its movers, was something to efficaciously address the 71-year deprivations of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Elaborating, it is assured that all political parties of AJK – whether within or outside AJK assembly have convergence of opinion to extend their full support to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in having the resolution implemented. Extemporaneously though, a few here in Gilgit-B...

By  Syed Shamsuddin   WITH the humility of a historian, late W.G. Abbas who had himself lived through the period spanning the historic liberation struggle of Gilgit-Baltistan – aptly chronicled in an article titled ‘Provincial Status for Northern Areas’ published in early nineties inter alia that the British established a political Agency in Gilgit in the last quarter of the 19th century, which was, later abolished. After the conquest of Hunza, and Nagar, the area was divided into various administrative units. The two States of Hunza and Nagar remained independent in their internal affairs. The British took the administration of the four political districts of Punyal, Ishkoman, Gupis and Yasin in their own hands and appointed a local ruler who held office at the will of the government except the ruler of Punyal who was hereditary. All worked directly under the Political Agency which had been re-established after the conquest of the area. A British Assistant Politica...

THE MYTH OF NORTHERN AREAS’ LINKAGE WITH J&K –II (The Muslim dated 30.08.1991)  By  Shah Waisey   The Gilgit Scouts in collusion with Muslim officers of the 6th Jammu and Kashmir Battalion stationed at Bunji as well as on deputation with the Gilgit Scouts organised an uprising. A leading role in organizing this revolution was played by Col Mirza Hassan Khan, a son of the soil of Gilgit. The Gilgit Scouts without any external assistance overthrew the Dogra regime at Gilgit on November 1, 1947 by capturing the State apparatus and arresting the Governor. After wresting freedom from the Dogras, the provincial government of Gilgit decided to join Pakistan and requested Pakistan to take over the administration of the liberated territories. Acceding to the request of the Provisional Government (De facto Sovereign Body) of Gilgit, the Pakistan government sent Sardar Muhammad Alam on 17th November, 1947 to take over the administration as first Pakistani Political ...

(The Muslim dated 29.08.1991) Original header " The Myth of Northern Areas' linkage with J&K-I" Gilgit-Baltistan (including Raksham and Shagsham) and Jammu & Kashmir By Shah Waisey Professor Khan Zaman Mirza in his article in The Muslim of July 20, 1991 has tried to portray the Northern Areas as an integral part of the erstwhile Dogra State of Jammu & Kashmir. It is imperative to analyze his arguments in the historical perspective so that the nature of relationship between the two would be clearly understood. Prior to the penetration into the Northern Areas by the Dogras, Sikhs and the British, the region was apportioned into a dozen small principalities which were ruled by despotic, independent rulers. These rulers, due to their territorial ambitions and family feuds were perpetually engaged in internecine warfare. Taking advantage of these local rivalries and factional bickering, the Dogras of Jammu and the Governor of Sikh Darbar...