http://www.timesnow.tv
May 15, 2017
Gilgit: Following a no-show by India’s representatives at the opening ceremony of China’s Belt and Road Forum (BRF), protests erupted in Gilgit-Baltistan against the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project under the Belt and Road initiative.
The One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit at Beijing is being attended by heads of states of over 23 countries, including Pakistan, reported the Times Of India.
Leading the protests against OBOR in Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Ghizer are students and political organisations such as Balawaristan National Students Organisation, Karakoram Students Organisation, Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Balawaristan National Front.
Terming it as a ‘Road of Gulami’ or Slavery for Gilgit-Baltistan, the protestors said the China-Pakistan project is an illegal attempt to capture Gilgit.
The Gilgit area has been a disputed territory since 1948-49, and the protestors carrying banners ‘Stop Chinese Imperialism’ have been appealing to the world powers to end Chinese influence over their region.
The protestors claim that the Chinese have illegally entered the region with Pakistan’s help, and the ‘two-pronged’ strategy has been implemented to expand Chinese military to counter the US, the report said.
The $51.5 billion CPEC project looks to connect Gwadar Port in Balochistan with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province.
Several political and human rights organisations allege that both China and Pakistan have violated human rights of the people, and muted their valid concerns about the project.
