Pakistan must stop exploitation of Gilgit-Baltistan through CPEC, say Kashmiri groups

Expressing serious concern about the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), representatives of various Kashmiri groups have unanimously voiced out against the exploitation of the natural resources of Gilgit Baltistan by Pakistan and China.

At a conference held under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir International People's Alliance (JKIPA) last Sunday in Como, Italy, these various Kashmiri groups, including the United Kashmir People's National Party and the Kashmir National Party passed a resolution to this effect.

They declared that Jammu and Kashmir is "one political entity and included areas of Gilgit Baltistan, so- called Azad Kashmir, the Jammu, Valley of Kashmir and Ladakh."

The resolution also stated that the construction of mega projects and dams under the CPEC is a clear violation of international law and United Nations (UN) resolutions on Kashmir.

In a reminder to the governments of China and Pakistan, the resolution further asserted that the CPEC would result in added pollution and serious environmental issues that would change the eco-system of the region with "disastrous consequences for human and wild life".

The resolution condemned the increasing violation of human rights in Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and called for the abolishing of " all draconian laws and practices like the National Action Plan, military courts and the Pakistan Protection Act" in Pakistan.

Participants appealed to the Government of Pakistan to stop the torture and arbitrary detention of those Kashmiris peacefully opposing Kashmir's accession to Pakistan or demanding independence.