<p>The people of Gilgit Baltistan recently staged a protest against Pakistan government outside Lahore Press Club.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The residents of the region raised the slogans &quot;hum leke&nbsp;rahenge&nbsp;azaadi&quot; (We will take the liberty).&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pakistan: Residents of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GilgitBaltistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GilgitBaltistan</a> staged a demonstration against Pakistan, outside Press Club in Lahore, raised &#39;hum leke rahenge azaadi&#39; slogans. <a href="https://t.co/mhtl8MNpia">pic.twitter.com/mhtl8MNpia</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946988764554866688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gilgit-baltistan-mounts-voice-against-illegal-taxation-25730" target="_blank">Pakistan: Gilgit-Baltistan mounts voice against illegal taxation</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-pakistan-supports-kashmirs-aazadi-and-not-that-of-pok-26042" target="_blank">Opinion: Why Pakistan supports Kashmir&#39;s </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-pakistan-supports-kashmirs-aazadi-and-not-that-of-pok-26042" target="_blank">aazadi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-pakistan-supports-kashmirs-aazadi-and-not-that-of-pok-26042" target="_blank"> and not that of PoK</a></p>

<p>The protesters revolted saying &quot;We are humans do not treat us like animals&quot;.</p>

<p>The people from the restive region demanded basic rights at par with other citizens.</p>

<p>Calling the imposition of taxes by the Pakistan government as illegal the protesters said the government has no right to impose taxes on them until they are provided with basic rights.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/widespread-protests-in-pok-gilgit-baltistan-against-ill-treatment-of-locals-by-pakistan-27543" target="_blank">Widespread protests in PoK, Gilgit Baltistan against ill-treatment of locals by Pakistan</a></p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/members-of-baloch-and-sindhi-community-protest-against-pakistan-in-london-26418" target="_blank">Members of Baloch and Sindhi community protest against Pakistan in London</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are humans do not treat us like animals, we should be given all the basic rights at par with other citizens: Protester in Gilgit-Baltistan&#39;s Skardu at a demonstration against Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/VtWXOF7NjP">pic.twitter.com/VtWXOF7NjP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946980750808584192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Until they give us our basic rights, they do not have any right to impose taxes on us. We are not ready to accept the taxes you (Pakistan) have imposed on us, it is illegal: Protester in Gilgit-Baltistan&#39;s Skardu at a demonstration against Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/Dn7Xrv4t9h">pic.twitter.com/Dn7Xrv4t9h</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946983012599603200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The region has been witnessing frequent protests from the local people of the region.&nbsp;</p>


The protesters revolted saying 'We are humans do not treat us like animals'

The people of Gilgit Baltistan recently staged a protest against Pakistan government outside Lahore Press Club. The residents of the region raised the slogans "hum leke rahenge azaadi" (We will take the liberty). Pakistan: Residents of #GilgitBaltistan staged a demonstration against Pakistan, outside Press Club in Lahore, raised 'hum leke rahenge azaadi' slogans. pic.twitter.com/mhtl8MNpia — ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017 × Also read: Pakistan: Gilgit-Baltistan mounts voice against illegal taxation Also read: Opinion: Why Pakistan supports Kashmir's aazadi and not that of PoK The protesters revolted saying "We are humans do not treat us like animals". The people from the restive region demanded basic rights at par with other citizens. Calling the imposition of taxes by the Pakistan government as illegal the protesters said the government has no right to impose taxes on them until they are provided with basic rights. Also read: Widespread protests in PoK, Gilgit Baltistan against ill-treatment of locals by Pakistan Also read: Members of Baloch and Sindhi community protest against Pakistan in London We are humans do not treat us like animals, we should be given all the basic rights at par with other citizens: Protester in Gilgit-Baltistan's Skardu at a demonstration against Pakistan pic.twitter.com/VtWXOF7NjP — ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017 × Until they give us our basic rights, they do not have any right to impose taxes on us. We are not ready to accept the taxes you (Pakistan) have imposed on us, it is illegal: Protester in Gilgit-Baltistan's Skardu at a demonstration against Pakistan pic.twitter.com/Dn7Xrv4t9h — ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2017 × The region has been witnessing frequent protests from the local people of the region.

People from Gilgit Baltistan protest against Pakistan

<p>The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have strengthened their voice against Pakistan&#39;s immoral imposition of taxes on them.</p>

<p>Shutter down strikes and massive protests by traders and local residents are continuing in Gilgit as they accuse Pakistan of misusing power.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Massive protest against Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, protesters say the imposition of tax on them is immoral &amp; illegal <a href="https://t.co/B7Ch7eal0u">pic.twitter.com/B7Ch7eal0u</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937203472234983426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The lawyers say the imposition of any tax in Gilgit Baltistan is illegal and immoral act as people here don&#39;t have any representation in national assembly and senate.</p>

<p>&quot;Since the beginning, our motto remains that &#39;no taxation without representation&#39;. If we are not given any rights, why should we pay taxes? We should be given proper rights and we are ready to pay taxes as similar to other four provinces of Pakistan. But, we should be given equal rights. It is important to collect taxes to run any country, but it is only implacable if the people are given constitutional rights. We are not given any constitutional rights, so what taxes are they collecting from us?&quot; said Mohammad Khan, an advocate in Gilgit.</p>

<p>Many legal experts believe that the people of Gilgit Baltistan must be granted constitutional rights and then taxes should be imposed on them.</p>

<p>They said there are no taxes in Jammu and Kashmir despite it being part of the constitution. They are being granted subsidies.</p>

<p>&quot;Jammu and Kashmir is part of the Indian constitution, but there are no taxes. They are the citizens of India as per the constitution, but no taxes are imposed on them. They are being given subsidy. Here, in Gilgit, we have no constitutional rights and we have a dummy assembly which has no powers. Pakistan has formed a (Kashmir) Council and has made illiterate people as its members. They can&#39;t even read Urdu, forget about English. We will not allow the imposition of taxes by them. If they continue to stand by their order, we will launch protests against the assembly. We are not ready to accept this,&quot; said Nasir Khan, a lawyer in Gilgit.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People of J&amp;K are Indian citizens as per the constitution, but no taxes are imposed on them. They are being given subsidy. Here, in Gilgit, we have no constitutional rights and we have a dummy assembly which has no powers: Nasir Khan, Advocate <a href="https://t.co/IiQWSFSVtE">pic.twitter.com/IiQWSFSVtE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937204092706762752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another lawyer from Gilgit said that current imposition of the tax is a bigger illegal step by Pakistan as citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan does not come under citizenship act 1951 clause.</p>

<p>&quot;Imposition of taxes on the people of Gilgit is an illegal act by Pakistan. The people of Gilgit Baltistan do not come under the Citizenship Act 1951. We, the citizens of Gilgit Baltistan have a different status as per Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment Ordinance 2009. They are imposing taxes on us, but we should be given constitutional rights. The famous canon of taxation is &#39;No Taxation without representation&#39;,&quot; said Naved Ahmad, a lawyer in Gilgit.</p>

<p>Gilgit-Baltistan is part of princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which remains under Pakistani occupation for the past 70 years.</p>

<p>The locals made a demand of granting them a royalty of rich mineral resources. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Gilgit Baltistan is also an illegal act by Pakistan and China.</p>

<p>The people of Gilgit Baltistan accuse both Pakistan and China of exploiting their resources and creating an ecological imbalance in the region.</p>

<p>The region, which has been given a step-motherly treatment by Islamabad, has been looted through the hefty taxes levied by the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan.</p>

<p>This has evoked widespread resentment against the Pakistani authorities who otherwise have not done anything in the welfare of the people of the region.</p>

<p>Pakistan has consistently maintained its oppressive attitude towards people of the region and has even ignored their basic demands.</p>

<p>Pakistan&#39;s tacit policy has been to ignore the genuine interests of the region and never allow true democracy to thrive in the region.</p>

<p>Media, which has been working in collusion with Islamabad has muffled the issues of locals which has only emboldened Islamabad to further exploit the region through its draconian laws and policies.</p>

<p>Islamabad&#39;s growing apathy towards the region and adoption of high handed measures to suppress reasonable voices of the region is a major concern today.</p>

<p>People of Gilgit-Baltistan have now become increasingly intolerant of the Pakistani occupation and they have intensified their ante against the authorities who have done nothing except plundering the resources.</p>


Shutter down strikes and massive protests by traders and local residents are continuing in Gilgit as they accuse Pakistan of misusing power

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have strengthened their voice against Pakistan's immoral imposition of taxes on them. Shutter down strikes and massive protests by traders and local residents are continuing in Gilgit as they accuse Pakistan of misusing power. Massive protest against Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan, protesters say the imposition of tax on them is immoral & illegal pic.twitter.com/B7Ch7eal0u — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × The lawyers say the imposition of any tax in Gilgit Baltistan is illegal and immoral act as people here don't have any representation in national assembly and senate. "Since the beginning, our motto remains that 'no taxation without representation'. If we are not given any rights, why should we pay taxes? We should be given proper rights and we are ready to pay taxes as similar to other four provinces of Pakistan. But, we should be given equal rights. It is important to collect taxes to run any country, but it is only implacable if the people are given constitutional rights. We are not given any constitutional rights, so what taxes are they collecting from us?" said Mohammad Khan, an advocate in Gilgit. Many legal experts believe that the people of Gilgit Baltistan must be granted constitutional rights and then taxes should be imposed on them. They said there are no taxes in Jammu and Kashmir despite it being part of the constitution. They are being granted subsidies. "Jammu and Kashmir is part of the Indian constitution, but there are no taxes. They are the citizens of India as per the constitution, but no taxes are imposed on them. They are being given subsidy. Here, in Gilgit, we have no constitutional rights and we have a dummy assembly which has no powers. Pakistan has formed a (Kashmir) Council and has made illiterate people as its members. They can't even read Urdu, forget about English. We will not allow the imposition of taxes by them. If they continue to stand by their order, we will launch protests against the assembly. We are not ready to accept this," said Nasir Khan, a lawyer in Gilgit. People of J&K are Indian citizens as per the constitution, but no taxes are imposed on them. They are being given subsidy. Here, in Gilgit, we have no constitutional rights and we have a dummy assembly which has no powers: Nasir Khan, Advocate pic.twitter.com/IiQWSFSVtE — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Another lawyer from Gilgit said that current imposition of the tax is a bigger illegal step by Pakistan as citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan does not come under citizenship act 1951 clause. "Imposition of taxes on the people of Gilgit is an illegal act by Pakistan. The people of Gilgit Baltistan do not come under the Citizenship Act 1951. We, the citizens of Gilgit Baltistan have a different status as per Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment Ordinance 2009. They are imposing taxes on us, but we should be given constitutional rights. The famous canon of taxation is 'No Taxation without representation'," said Naved Ahmad, a lawyer in Gilgit. Gilgit-Baltistan is part of princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which remains under Pakistani occupation for the past 70 years. The locals made a demand of granting them a royalty of rich mineral resources. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Gilgit Baltistan is also an illegal act by Pakistan and China. The people of Gilgit Baltistan accuse both Pakistan and China of exploiting their resources and creating an ecological imbalance in the region. The region, which has been given a step-motherly treatment by Islamabad, has been looted through the hefty taxes levied by the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan. This has evoked widespread resentment against the Pakistani authorities who otherwise have not done anything in the welfare of the people of the region. Pakistan has consistently maintained its oppressive attitude towards people of the region and has even ignored their basic demands. Pakistan's tacit policy has been to ignore the genuine interests of the region and never allow true democracy to thrive in the region. Media, which has been working in collusion with Islamabad has muffled the issues of locals which has only emboldened Islamabad to further exploit the region through its draconian laws and policies. Islamabad's growing apathy towards the region and adoption of high handed measures to suppress reasonable voices of the region is a major concern today. People of Gilgit-Baltistan have now become increasingly intolerant of the Pakistani occupation and they have intensified their ante against the authorities who have done nothing except plundering the resources.

Pakistan: Gilgit-Baltistan mounts voice against illegal taxation

<p>A motion has been tabled in the UK parliament condemning Pakistan&#39;s &quot;arbitrary&quot;&nbsp;move to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering disputed Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), as its fifth province.</p>

<p>Bob Blackman, a Conservative Party MP, who regularly speaks out in support of the rights of Kashmiri Hindus in the House of Commons, tabled the Early Day Motion (EDM) titled &quot;Annexation of Gilgit-Baltistan as by Pakistan as its fifth frontier&quot; on March 23.</p>

<p>EDMs are formal motions tabled in the House of Commons as a means of drawing attention to a particular issue or cause. The motion said that Gilgit-Baltistan has been illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947 and the country is attempting to annex the already disputed area.</p>

<p>The EDM reads, &quot;That this House condemns the arbitrary announcement by Pakistan declaring Gilgit-Baltistan as its Fifth Frontier, implying its attempt to annex the already disputed area.&quot; It noted that &ldquo;Gilgit-Baltistan is a legal and constitutional part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, which is illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947, and where people are denied their fundamental rights including the right of freedom of expression.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It further said that the attempts to change the demography of the region in violation of State Subject Ordinance and forcibly and illegally to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which further aggravates and interferes with the disputed territory.&rdquo; Other British MPs are expected to sign the EDM during the course of this week as a show of support to the motion.</p>

<p>A spokesperson for Blackman&rsquo;s office indicated that a formal debate on the issue is also likely to be proposed in coming weeks. Pakistan&rsquo;s minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada on Marach 14 told Pakistani media that a committee headed by Advisor of Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had proposed giving the status of a province to Gilgit-Baltistan.</p>

<p>He also said that a constitutional amendment would be made to change the status of the region, through which the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes. India has termed as &ldquo;entirely unacceptable&rdquo; any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering disputed PoK, as the fifth province.</p>

<p>External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said any such step would not be able to hide the illegality of Pakistan&rsquo;s occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir which it must vacate, forthwith. Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. It has a regional assembly and an elected Chief Minister.</p>

<p>Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are the four provinces of Pakistan. It is believed that China&rsquo;s concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.<br />
<br />
(PTI)<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>


A motion tabled in Parliament criticised Pakistan for attempting to annex the already-disputed area in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir

A motion has been tabled in the UK parliament condemning Pakistan's "arbitrary" move to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering disputed Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), as its fifth province. Bob Blackman, a Conservative Party MP, who regularly speaks out in support of the rights of Kashmiri Hindus in the House of Commons, tabled the Early Day Motion (EDM) titled "Annexation of Gilgit-Baltistan as by Pakistan as its fifth frontier" on March 23. EDMs are formal motions tabled in the House of Commons as a means of drawing attention to a particular issue or cause. The motion said that Gilgit-Baltistan has been illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947 and the country is attempting to annex the already disputed area. The EDM reads, "That this House condemns the arbitrary announcement by Pakistan declaring Gilgit-Baltistan as its Fifth Frontier, implying its attempt to annex the already disputed area." It noted that “Gilgit-Baltistan is a legal and constitutional part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, which is illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947, and where people are denied their fundamental rights including the right of freedom of expression.” It further said that the attempts to change the demography of the region in violation of State Subject Ordinance and forcibly and illegally to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which further aggravates and interferes with the disputed territory.” Other British MPs are expected to sign the EDM during the course of this week as a show of support to the motion. A spokesperson for Blackman’s office indicated that a formal debate on the issue is also likely to be proposed in coming weeks. Pakistan’s minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada on Marach 14 told Pakistani media that a committee headed by Advisor of Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had proposed giving the status of a province to Gilgit-Baltistan. He also said that a constitutional amendment would be made to change the status of the region, through which the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes. India has termed as “entirely unacceptable” any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering disputed PoK, as the fifth province. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said any such step would not be able to hide the illegality of Pakistan’s occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir which it must vacate, forthwith. Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. It has a regional assembly and an elected Chief Minister. Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are the four provinces of Pakistan. It is believed that China’s concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status. (PTI)

UK Parliament condemns Pakistan's 'arbitrary' move to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as fifth province

<p>Retorting to the reports of Pakistan planning to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province, the Centre on Wednesday said that it will study the matter and then give a response.</p>

<p>Pakistan&#39;s four provinces include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.</p>

<p>The Gilgit-Baltistan area is Pakistan&#39;s northernmost administrative territory that borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.</p>

<p>However, India claims the Gilgit-Baltistan area as an integral part of its territory.<br />
<br />
A committee headed by Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz recommended to grant the region a provincial status, Pakistani channel&nbsp;GeoNews had reported.</p>

<p>Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh told mediapersons, &quot;We will study it, our MEA spokesperson will give the response.&quot;</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


India claims the Gilgit-Baltistan area as an integral part of its territory

Retorting to the reports of Pakistan planning to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province, the Centre on Wednesday said that it will study the matter and then give a response. Pakistan's four provinces include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. The Gilgit-Baltistan area is Pakistan's northernmost administrative territory that borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. However, India claims the Gilgit-Baltistan area as an integral part of its territory. A committee headed by Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz recommended to grant the region a provincial status, Pakistani channel GeoNews had reported. Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh told mediapersons, "We will study it, our MEA spokesperson will give the response." (ANI)

Will study Pakistan's plan to declare Gilgit-Baltistan 'fifth province': India

Raising its concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir, the United States has called for woking out differences with peace and through a valid political process.<br />
<br />
&quot;We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (Pakistan Controlled Kashmir), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report,&quot; state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
&quot;We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process,&quot; he said when asked about the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir.<br />
<br />
&quot;And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known,&quot; Toner said without elaborating further.<br />
<br />
Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces.<br />
<br />
(PTI)

This comes after?protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses early this month

Raising its concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir, the United States has called for woking out differences with peace and through a valid political process. "We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (Pakistan Controlled Kashmir), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report," state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday. "We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process," he said when asked about the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir. "And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known," Toner said without elaborating further. Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces. (PTI)

US expresses concern over human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir