'Pakistan conspiring with China to make Gilgit Baltistan 5th province': Activists at UNHRC

As Pakistan anunced its plan to capture Gilgit Baltistan, several activists have objected move, accusing Islamab of joining forces with China to bring illegally occupied region as its fifth province. One such activist, Dr Amj Ayub Mirza from Pakistan occupied Kashmir raised matter during 45th session of United Nations Human Rights Council.

“Pakistan is attempting to illegally make Gilgit Baltistan her fifth province. On October 31, 1947, Pakistan instigated a coup d'etat in Gilgit ncy with collaboration of British officers of Gilgit scouts and occupied Gilgit ncy. By attacking state of Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit ncy, Pakistan has committed a war of aggression, crime against peace and crime against humanity, all I wish tend to amount to war crimes," Dr Mirza said.

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European Foundation for South Asian Studies perceived decision as Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's delayed response to India's abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. decision to capture Gilgit Baltistan could only have been me in Rawalpindi, t in Islamab, it said.

"More importantly, however, it is constant Chinese pressure on military establishment to ensure a proper legal cover under Pakistan's legal jurisdiction for its investment in China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CPEC), which enters Pakistan from China through Gilgit Baltistan, that has forced establishment to act," European think tank argued.

Recently, Pakistan Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that government has decided to raise status of Gilgit-Baltistan to a complete province. He said that PM Imran Khan would soon visit region and make a formal anuncement in this regard.

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India responds to Pakistan's claim over Gilgit Baltistan

In a sharp response to Pakistan's decision to usurp Gilgit Baltistan, India said Islamab has locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it and Government of India completely rejects recent actions such as so-called "Gilgit-Baltistan (Elections and Caretaker Government) Amendment Order 2020” and continued attempts by Pakistan establishment to bring material changes in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation.

"Action such as se can neir hide illegal occupation of parts of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Lakh by Pakistan r grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for past seven deces. se are cosmetic exercises intended to camoufl its illegal occupation. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.

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(With inputs from ncy)

(Im credits: AP)