Balawaristan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Balawaristan (Urdu: بلاوارستان) is another name for the Northern Areas, Pakistan. The Northern Areas include Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ishkoman and Yasin (see Districts of Northern Areas). The regions of Baltistan, and Ladakh (including Kargil) are also considered to be a part of Balawaristan by the nationalist parties of Gilgit. However, the majority of people in Baltistan, Ladakh and Kargil maintain that historically Baltistan, Ladakh and Kargil are not part of Balawaristan.

The name Balawaristan is used mainly by nationalists of Gilgit region, such as the Balawaristan National Front, who are seeking to define a separate identity for Gilgit, Baltistan and Ladakh regions from that of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu. They state that the region is illegally occupied by Pakistan and want independence, pointing to UN resolutions that require Pakistan to withdraw its troops. India claims that the whole territory is part of the Indian Occupied state of Jammu & Kashmir.

[edit] External links

• Balawaristan National Front homepage
• Voices from Pakistan Occupied Balawaristan - Tehelka newsstory syndicated.
• Free Balawaristan movement gains momentum By Sultan Shahin