Karachi (PR): A protest demonstration was held outside Karachi Press Cub under the banner of Nojwanan e Gilgit-Blatitsan in favor of the sit-ins in Nasirabad Hunza and Gilgit city.
According to protesters, the Nasirabad Hunza sit-in demands an end to mining leases in violation of local customs while the sit-in in Gilgit city demands the release of prisoners languishing in Rawalpindi jails for more than a decade over false allegations of terrorism.
The protest demonstration was attended by activists and leaders associated with National Students Federation Gilgit-Baltistan (NSF-GB), Karakoram Students Organization (KSO), Balawaristan National Front (BNF), Baltistan Students Federation (BSF), All Baltistan Movement (ABM) and others.
A charter of demand was presented in the demonstration to be acted upon immediately.
The charter demanded:
1. Immediate release of October 13, 2005 tragedy prisoners languishing in jails outside Gilgit-Baltistan;
2. Action against officials and security personnel involved on October 13, 2005 tragedy;
3. Release of prisoners languishing in jails on baseless and fraud cases without any discrimination of sect.
4. End to all cases pertaining to people of G-B tried by military courts;
5. Implementation of the demands of the Nasirabad sit-in against the provision of mining lease in violation of local customs;
6. Action against those responsible for low-quality construction of Juglot-Skardu road;
7. Construction of tunnels where necessary on Juglot-Skardu road
8. Acceptance of all demands of affectees of Diamir Dam;
9. Taking steps to address Climate Change induced effects and set up a special environmental Research Center in the G-B.
10. Give all mega projects under the G-B government and the accepting right of ownership of local people on natural resources and lands.
While addressing the demonstration, the speakers warned the government of launching a movement if their demands were not met.
