Pak excesses in Gilgit bared

NEW DELHI, Jan 18: Pakistan authorities have let loose repression against the people in Gilgit, Baltistan and Hunza, columnist Haroon Rashid of that country has said. Khan Naji, a senior leader from the areas occupied by Pakistan urged the United Nations to press upon Pakistan to stop repression against the people in this region and call for early elections under its auspices. 8220;I fail to understand why Pakistan is doing this to us,8221; Khan said.

Naji, chairman of Balawaristan National front BNF, told Pakistani daily The news it was pathetic that northern areas, which do not fall under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Supreme Court, are still claimed to be a part of Pakistan.

Khan, who was arrested along with senior vice-president of BNF Abdul Hamid Khan last year, said any leader who raises his voice against the dictatorship of Pakistan is either 8220;eliminated8221; or booked under several charges.

Rashid in his report published in the Urdu daily Jasarat says the people here 8220;live the life of a slave and are repeatedly subjected to repression from Pakistan.8221;

While Pakistan continues to mislead the world with the happenings in Jammu and Kashmir, the state is far advanced in every sector compared to Gilgit, Baltistan and Hunza.