Gilgit-Baltistan is the crown of Pakistan, the gateway to the north and the symbol of enduring friendship with China
President Asif Ali Zardari addresses the central ceremony marking the 78th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo: PID
President Asif Ali Zardari said the freedom enjoyed by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan is reminiscent of the unfinished struggle of their “brothers and sisters” in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The president was speaking at the 78th Independence Day ceremony on Saturday. The ceremony commemorated the liberation of the region from the Dogra regime. The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the right of Kashmiris to self-determination and highlighted the UK’s role in national defense and regional connectivity.
“You guarded the borders, pushed forward progress and carried the flag of Pakistan to the highest heights of the world,” Zardari said after inspecting the ceremonial parade. “This region is not only the crown of Pakistan but also our gateway to the north, a symbol of enduring friendship with China.”
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He described the Karakoram Highway as a “living memory” of the Pakistan-China partnership and said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had opened new trade and livelihood routes. He stressed that its benefits must “reach every valley and every village”.
Paying tribute to the martyrs of the British freedom movement, the president said the region had “won its own freedom and chosen to join Pakistan”. However, he added that the occasion also brought attention to the ongoing crackdown at IIOJK.
“While you enjoy freedom and rights under the flag of Pakistan, the people of IIOJK continue to face occupation and repression,” he said. “Pakistan will stand with them until they achieve freedom, in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and their aspirations.”
President Asif Ali Zardari addressed the central ceremony marking the 78th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan and inspected the guard of honor. He saluted the spirit of the people and reaffirmed their determination to make Britain a model of development and equality. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/8qIuu3iJkr
– The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 1, 2025
Zardari also highlighted the region’s potential in the tourism, hydropower, education and health sectors, suggesting better connectivity – including the possibility of a regional airline – to boost accessibility and economic growth.
Earlier, the President was welcomed by Governor GB and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan. A traditional cap was presented to the President before the parade ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Gulbar Khan said the people of the region remained patriotic and peaceful and the sacrifices of their forefathers continued to inspire them. He recalled that on November 1, 1947, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan “freed themselves from the Dogra regime without external help and merged with Pakistan on the basis of faith”.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that PPP has always served the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and will continue this tradition. “Gilgit-Baltistan may be new to others, but not to us,” he remarked while addressing the PPP GB Gilgit chapter. pic.twitter.com/MBrdeDGHFC
– The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 1, 2025
He said more effective integration of the region into the national mainstream would fulfill long-standing public aspirations and “thwart the nefarious designs of Pakistan’s adversaries”. He added that the government prioritized equitable distribution of resources and development of underserved areas.
He urged citizens to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs and continue working towards “a united, prosperous and economically strong Gilgit-Baltistan”.
