University�s School of Advanced International Studies in collaboration
with the Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Studies held a seminar titled "The
Regional Implications of China's Growing Presence in Gilgit-Baltistan".
Prominent among the participants were Selig Harrison, executive director
of the Center for International Policy; Syed Iqbal Hasnain, distinguished
visiting fellow of environmental security at the Stimson Center; Lisa
Curtis, senior research fellow at the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage
Foundation; Mumtaz Khan, executive director of the International Center
for Peace and Democracy; Imtiaz Hussain, president of the Gilgit Baltistan
National Congress; Senge Hasnan Sering, president of the Institute for
Gilgit Baltistan Studies; and Walter Andersen (moderator), director of the
South Asia Studies Program.
Bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan, China, India, and Pakistan, and as
part of the larger disputed state of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan is one of
the most politically sensitive and geo-strategically situated regions in
the world. As a resource-rich region abundant in minerals and
energy-sources; a lynchpin for China to access Afghanistan, Iran, the
Indian Ocean region, and Africa; China has over the past decade become
increasingly involved in Gilgit-Baltistan both strategically and via
economic investment. With Chinese involvement in the region comes a wide
array of political, security, and economic sensitivities, but also a slew
of environmental concerns as Chinese-funded infrastructure projects like
dams, mineral exploratory activities and strategic infrastructure
development worth billions of dollars begs immediate attention.
Selig Harrison opined that Gilgit-Baltistan is an economically
under-developed and socially fractured society and very vulnerable to such
outside interventions. He said, �The impact of even a small Chinese
presence is highly disproportionate on a marginalized mountainous region
like Gilgit-Baltistan. This situation of creeping process of control by
China begs our immediate attention.�
Lisa Curtis opined that India�s wariness about China�s presence in a
region which is part of former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir is
understandable. The situation can be seen as highly provocative and
extremely unhelpful in resolving the regional dispute especially when one
considers that just eleven years ago, a war between India and Pakistan
caused huge damage on both sides of Line of Control which divides
Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh.
Syed Iqbal Hasnain warned that China�s projects like mega dams increase
seismic activity and submerge habitable areas and thousands of acres of
agricultural land. At the same time, it accelerates glacial melting and
occurrences of flashfloods. While comparing Gilgit-Baltistan with Tibet
and Xinjiang, he talked about damage to flora and fauna due to China�s
infrastructure development.
Mumtaz Khan expressed concern that China has departed from its policy of
neutrality on Kashmir and has adopted a stance favorable to Pakistan�s
position on the issue. He said, �While China is consolidating its position
in Gilgit-Baltistan; at the same time, it challenges India�s locus standi
in Kashmir, which could only complicate and prolong the Kashmir dispute.�
Senge Sering said that China�s activities in Gilgit-Baltistan are leading
to environmental degradation and fails to benefit the natives of the
region. He said, �The local people who oppose China�s role in damaging
glacial resource, pastures and cultural heritage continue to face sedition
charges in the Pakistani courts. Gilgit-Baltistan is a disputed territory,
yet both China and Pakistan exploit natural resources sans constitutional
guarantees.� He asserted that China�s involvement in Gilgit-Baltistan is
comparable to advancing the great game in the region.
Imtiaz Hussain brought attention to the fact that Pakistan has failed to
grant genuine autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan, as legislative matters
pertaining to utilization of natural resources and revenue distribution
continue to remain with Islamabad. He demanded a complete control of the
people of Gilgit-Baltistan over their land and resources.
In concluding remarks, Walter Anderson expressed his concern over
construction of several dams in Gilgit-Baltistan which lies on the western
fringes of the fragile Tibetan plateau. He opined that the situation is
very alarming since it affects not only Gilgit-Baltistan but also
endangers the ecosystem and sustainability of biodiversity in the
surrounding countries. In the end, he thanked the panelists for their
valuable input and the audience for their participation.
---------------------------------------------
Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies is a non profit organization
incorporated in Washington DC. It was founded by natives of
Gilgit-Baltistan in 2010 to disseminate information on cultural, economic,
political and environmental issues, and help preserve the rich
civilization of the region. The Institute demands demilitarization of
Gilgit-Baltistan, political and judicial autonomy, genuine democracy, and
elimination of extremism and terrorism from the region. Although most of
the members of the organization live outside their birthplace in the
United States, Canada and Europe, they feel deeply for the economic,
cultural and environmental degradation as well as the political
deprivation, which their communities have been undergoing in the last six
decades. IGBS requests international rights organizations, think tanks,
and members of the academia to support the organization in its aims for a
better life for the indigenous communities of Gilgit-Baltistan.
------------------------------------
Thanks for participating. Kindly suggest improvements. Please let us know:
I. If you want to receive individual emails
II. Receive one mail with all activity in it
III. Do not want to receive any mail at all
Regards,
Tariq Khattak, Group Manager,
GSM = 0300-9599007 and 0333-9599007
+92-300-9599007 and +92-333-9599007
Tariqgulkhattak@gmail.com
Tariqgulkhattak@hotmail.com
REQUESTS:
1)Please directly contact sender for personal/individual correspondence.
2)Try to discuss issues that will catch attention of many readers.
3)Please avoid sending messages in any language other than English
4)Avoid sending messages addressed to many recipients.
5)Do not send messages aimed at personal publicity.
6)Please do not send personal/other links unless necessary.
7)The Group is not obliged to publish printed news,
very short/long comments and objectionable material.
8)Every mail cannot be published; it will overload Mailboxes
of our valued members.
9)Try to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable, Unsympathetic and/or Unpleasant.
x==x==x==x==x==x
Please note that,
It is a common platform for journalists and all others who are interested in knowing about the issues that are sometimes not reported. This group favours philosophy of progress, reform and the protection of civil liberties. Please share and educate others. The owners and managers of this site do not necessarily agree with any of the information. It is an open forum; everyone is allowed to share anything. Mails sent by members and non-members are subject to approval. However, we are not responsible in any way for the contents of mails / opinion sent by members. We do not guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. (Nor can print and electronic media). If you find content on this site which you feel is inappropriate or inaccurate, incomplete, or useless you are most welcome to report it or contradict it.
Thanks a lot.
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To reply to this message, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pakistan-Media/post?act=reply&messageNum=8537
Please do not reply to this message via email. More information here:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/messages/messages-23.html
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pakistan-Media/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
Pakistan-Media-digest@yahoogroups.com
Pakistan-Media-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pakistan-Media/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Pakistan-Media-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Islamabad, Feb 18: Terming resumption of dialogue process between India and Pakistan as a positive development, the Executive Director of Washington based Kashmiri American Council, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai has said the two countries had no choice, but to address the Kashmir dispute for the sake of peace and prosperity in South Asia.
