President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the region’s 79th Independence Day, paying tribute to those who fought to end Dogra rule in 1947.
In separate messages marking November 1, both leaders recalled the historic uprising in which local residents and leaders overthrew Dogra authority and subsequently sought accession to Pakistan.
President Zardari said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had “overthrew the colonial yoke of Dogra rule, declared independence and soon after, sent the letter to Quaid-e-Azam for accession to Pakistan”.
He praised their enduring commitment to Pakistan, describing their courage, sacrifices and determination as an important part of the country’s shared history.
The president also highlighted political and administrative reforms introduced in the region over successive decades, particularly under governments led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
He recalled that former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto initiated major reforms in 1972, including the abolition of the Frontier Crimes Regulation and the Jagirdari system, the dismantling of the old Agency system and the introduction of new administrative and judicial structures.
Further reforms followed in 1974 with the abolition of the remaining princely states of Hunza and Nagar.
Zardari also credited former prime minister Benazir Bhutto with expanding political representation through the Legal Framework Order of 1994, which established the Northern Areas Legislative Council.
He noted that the PPP government introduced the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order in 2009, formally giving the region its present name and establishing a legislative assembly, an elected chief minister and a governor.
The commemorations marked 79 years since the November 1, 1947 uprising, a defining event in Gilgit-Baltistan’s political history and its relationship with Pakistan.