Name NAs as Gilgit-Baltistan

SKARDU: Speakers at a public rally here demanded restoration
of the region's historical name, Gilgit-Baltistan, instead
of calling it `Northern Areas'.
They also sought formation of an independent constituent
assembly to draft a constitution for the region in accordance
with the aspirations of the people.
The speakers asked the world community to take notice of what
they called human rights violations in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The public meeting was organised by the Gilgit-Baltistan
United Movement at Yadgar-i-Shuhada Chowk.
The representatives of the component parties of the Gilgit-
Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) appealed to the United
Nations, European Union as well as the world community to
focus their attention on Gilgit-Baltistan to help the
people in achieving their basic human rights.
The region's historical name, Gilgit Baltistan, should be
restored and the so-called `Northern Areas' should be done
away with, the speakers demanded.
All the routes especially the historical route between
Kargil and Skardu should be opened so that the divided families
can meet each other.
All land given to non-local people in Gilgit-Baltistan in
violation of the State Subject Rule should be retrieved and
the SSR should be enforced in the area, they added.
The speakers said as per suggestion of President Pervez
Musharraf, India should withdraw its forces from Kargil and
Laddakh and at the same time Pakistan should pull out of
Gilgit-Baltistan.
They demanded withdrawal of all non-local military and
civilian officials posted in civilian organisations of
Gilgit-Baltistan and appointment of locals in their place.
They warned the officials of sensitive agencies against
meddling in public affairs and harassment of political
workers and violation of human rights.
They also demanded handing over of the control of Special
Communication Organisation (SCO) and Frontier Work Organisation
(FWO) to local civilians and induction of local youth in
these organisations.
The meeting called for withdrawal of `fake' cases against
political workers and leaders of Gilgit-Baltistan, lifting of
the ban on monthly Kargil International magazine and ensuring
freedom of expression and security to the local journalists.
Through another resolution, they demanded setting up of
engineering, medical and IT universities in Skardu, Chilas,
Hunza and Gahkuch.
They also asked the government to stop projects like
Diamer-Basha dam, Bunji dam and Satpara dam in Skardu,
and reinstatement of workers sacked by a private company
in Sadpara dam.