Balawaristan

Balawaristan ( _ur. بلاوارستان) is another name for the Northern Areas, Pakistan. The Northern Areas include Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ishkoman and Yasin (see Districts of Northern Areas). The regions of Baltistan, and Ladakh (including Kargil) are also considered to be a part of Balawaristan by the nationalist parties of Gilgit though the same view may not be shared the people of Ladakh.

The name Balawaristan is used mainly by nationalists of Gilgit region, such as the Balawaristan National Front, who are seeking to define a separate identity for Gilgit, Baltistan and Ladakh regions from that of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu. They state that they are geographically different from the rest of Kashmir and that the region is illegally occupied by Pakistan and want independence, pointing to UN resolutions that require Pakistan to withdraw its troops. According to the chairman of the Balawaristan National Front, in May 1999, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that Balawaristan "is a disputed territory and the government of Pakistan has no claim over it". [ [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/DH22Df03.html Pakistan's heart of darkness By Abdul Hamid Khan] August 22, 2002 Asia Times] To further complicate matters, the entire region is also claimed by India as part of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Balawaristan leaders argue that if the people of the region do not have proportional representation in the Pakistani parliament, then Pakistan should not apply its laws. [ [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FL18Df03.html Across the divide, PART 3: Gilgit Valley searches for identity by Sultan Shahin]
December 18, 2004 Asia Times] The leaders have requested UN intervention in settling the North West provinces dispute. [ [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_2-11-2003_pg7_50 UN asked to intervene on constitutional status for NAs] November 2, 2003 Daily Times] There have also been cases of human rights abuses by the occupying Pakistan forces on the locals, which has also been reported to the UN. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/112615.cms Rights wronged in POK, UN told] August 4, 2003 The Times of India]

Officially, the leaders of the Balawaristan support independence, but agree they are willing to stay part of Pakistan if given proper representation in the government. [ [http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/mar/17inter.htm 'We are ready to fight against Pakistan' ] ] Critics argue this is because the idea of an independent Balawaristan is neither widely supported by the people of the region nor will it be able to function as a separate state with a population of less than 1 million.

Notes

References and external links

* [http://www.balawaristan.net/english.htm Balawaristan National Front homepage]
* [http://www.fisiusa.org/fisi_News_items/news249.htm Voices from Pakistan Occupied Balawaristan] - Tehelka newsstory syndicated.
* [http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/insights/insight20000206b.html Free Balawaristan movement gains momentum By Sultan Shahin]
* [http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/mar/17inter.htm 'We are ready to fight against Pakistan'] The Rediff Interview/Balawaristan leader Nawaz Khan Naji
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/south_asia/1491179.stm Pakistan's Northern Areas dilemma by Victoria Schofield 15 August, 2001 BBC]

ee also

* Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement