Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 12: Senior separatist leader and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) today warned Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharief, over country’s reported proposal to make Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province, saying battering away territory for economic growth isn’t statesmanship.
In a letter addressed to Nawaz, the JKLF chairman expressed concern over the reports of Pakistan mulling to make Gilgi-Baltistan as its province and asked him to desist from any such move.
“Your Government is holding a meeting where the future of Gilgit-Baltistan is going to be deliberated upon. Apprehensions have been raised in various quarters that your government may reach a consensus to merge Gilgit-Baltistan with Pakistan. This will have implications on the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir,” Malik wrote in the letter.
The JKLF chairman said the Kashmir is not about territory but about rights of people. “Bartering these rights for land means killing the aspirations of people,” he said. Malik also expressed concern over the reports of changing constitutional status of the Gilgit-Baltistan and said Pakistan has no moral authority to adopt any such policy which could adversely affect the future of Kashmiris.
“Media has reported that China Pakistan corridor is making you change the constitutional status of Gilgit Baltistan. Economic development is good but you have no moral right to make policy that will adversely affect the future of millions of Kashmiris,” Malik wrote.
Urging Nawaz to take a long view of history, the JKLF chairman said: “I appeal you to think of the legacy you will leave if you become party to depriving people of their historical, political and moral rights for which they have given their lives. Bartering away territory for economic growth does not make you statesman. It is opportunity for you to become a statesman by not bowing to economic pressures. Become a statesman and resist short term temptations.”
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