By C.R Akbar Shah
The Government of Azad Kashmir in a historic move has approved an allocation of twenty kanals (2.5 acres) of land in AJK’s capital for the construction of “Gilgit Baltistan House”. This much-appreciated step has been taken to restore the historical relationship between two important parts of the divided state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Allocation of land for the construction of the Gilgit-Baltistan House in Muzaffarabad is a commendable initiative. Gilgit-Baltistan is a valuable part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and without it, the geography of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is not complete.
It would not an exaggeration to say that the ruling political parties of Azad Kashmir never did anything to protect and defend the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
C.R Akbar Shah
Unfortunately, after 1947, some people created a gap between Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan which kept the people of both regions at distance. It is also unfortunate that walls of hatred were erected against each other in both regions according to a premeditated scheme. Such heinous attempts were successful in maligning the mutual relations between both parts of the state to a great extent.
There is no denying the fact that the ruling class of Azad Kashmir has always been a part of such conspiracies to protect its interests. Even the organizational structure of all other political parties except Jamaat-e-Islami was kept separate.
It would not an exaggeration to say that the ruling political parties of Azad Kashmir never did anything to protect and defend the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Such an indifferent attitude was responsible for the deepening gulf between both parts of the state.
Now the current prime minister of AJK Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Khalid Khurshid Ahmad Khan have agreed to establish and build houses for both regions in Muzaffarabad and Gilgit. This is no doubt a welcome initiative for which both leaders deserve congratulations.
It is hoped that the two governments will set a new example by completing this project so that a new epoch of cooperation and mutual support starts as of now. This will undoubtedly help rebuild the broken relationship between the people of the two regions.
The writer is journalist and columnist from Gilgit-Baltistan. He regularly writes for Ibex Times on different issues focusing Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir
