The proposed induction of Chinese troops in Gilgit-Baltistan with the purported intention of securing the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a mere excuse by the Pak government to provide access to the PLA (Peoples Liberation Army of China) in the strategically important area of Gilgit. Pakistan has been committing atrocities on the peace-loving people of Gilgit-Baltistan merely because they are Shias. This was stated by BJP spokesperson Brig Anil Gupta while reacting to the reports of presence of Chinese troops in the said areas.
Brig Gupta said that economic exploitation by Pakistan in nexus with China of the mineral and hydro-power rich region is vehemently opposed by the locals whose voice is suppressed by Pakistan by use of brutal military force. Much against their wishes Pakistan has already stationed three independent brigades in the region which should be adequate for the protection of the CPEC. Despite that the willingness of Pak government to allow induction of Chinese troops is perplexing and smells of a sinister design against India. Gilgit-Baltistan is an integral part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir and is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. “It being a disputed area under Pakistan’s illegal occupation the former has no moral authority to invite foreign troops in the area”, according to Brig Anil Gupta. Bharatiya Janata Party strongly objects to the presence of Chinese troops in the area and expresses solidarity with our brethren in Gilgit-Baltistan as per the press release issued by the Party. Brig Gupta also condemned the Hurriyat for welcoming the decision of Pak government to permit the presence of Chinese troops in POJK and Gilgit-Baltistan which only shows utter disregard to the aspirations and concerns of the people of that area by the Hurriyat.
Taking note of another serious development in the area wherein a portion of the territory of Gilgit-Baltistan has been illegally occupied by the neighbouring province of Khyber-Pakhtunwa, Brig Gupta said that it is another attempt to subjugate the Shias and expressed serious concern for the same. The area is reportedly rich in minerals and Chitral Scouts have been deployed in the area to terrorise the locals. The hand-picked Gilgit Administrative Council, a puppet of the Federal Government, has deliberately ignored the incursion much to the annoyance of the local population. Brig Gupta suspected that it may be a part of the bigger game plan of Pakistan to declare the area as its fifth province but warned Pakistan to desist from any such move.
