Gilgit: Addressing an important gathering, the officials of the Awami Action Committee said lands in G-B are being grabbed in violation of local customs, the country’s constitution, and international laws.
They said the mountains, rivers, soil, minerals, and everything in G-B belong to the local people. No bureaucrat, whoever it may be, will be allowed to acquire land in G-B by illegally acquiring a local domicile.
They said changes are being made to the borders of Gilgit-Baltistan. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been trying to intrude on G-B from all sides, Shandur and Qurumbar lake in Ishkoman are recent examples. Awami Action Committee will not allow KPK to intrude into the lands of Gilgit-Baltistan.
They said the indigenous rights enshrined in the local customary laws should be protected and ensured. Acquisition of lands by non-locals should be discouraged and banned to ensure the safeguard of the rights of indigenous people as per international laws.
They further said GBLA has failed to make any legislation to prevent land grabbing in G-B. Instead, it has resorted to robbing the basic political and social rights of people. He asked the government to resign if it cannot deliver.
Those present in the gathering included Chairman Awami Action Committee Fida Hussain, Shabbir Mayar, Iqbal Hussain, Hukum Khan, Zubair, and others.
