The state unit of Jammu and Kashmir BJP today said 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 Pakistan government to provide access to the Peoples Liberation Army of China (PLA) 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,” BJP spokesperson Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta said in a statement issued here.
Brig Gupta said 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,” said the BJP spokesperson.
He said despite that the willingness of Pakistan 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,” he said adding that it being a disputed area under Pakistan’s illegal occupation the former has no moral authority to invite foreign troops in the area.
Taking a note of 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 it is another attempt to subjugate the Shias and expressed serious concern for the same.
”It is 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,” he said.UNI VBH PY 2137
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