GILGIT, Pakistan: Gilgit-Baltistan’s Liberation Day was celebrated across the region with traditional enthusiasm, patriotism, and a strong sense of national unity. The day marked 78 years since the region’s liberation from Dogra rule in 1947.
Across Gilgit-Baltistan, rallies, cultural performances, and flag-hoisting ceremonies were held to commemorate the occasion. The main event took place at the historic Chinar Bagh in Gilgit, where President Asif Ali Zardari, Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan hoisted Pakistan’s national flag and laid a wreath at the memorial to honor the region’s martyrs.
Ministers, members of the legislative assembly, senior military and civil officials, students, and citizens from across the region attended the ceremony.
President Zardari’s Address
Speaking at the Independence Day ceremony, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to making Gilgit-Baltistan a model of development, justice, and equality.
During his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan for the Independence Day celebrations, President Asif Ali Zardari was warmly welcomed by Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, and the Commander of 10 Corps. Children presented him with a bouquet of flowers. pic.twitter.com/EZkz9vHhJR
— Syeda Huma Naqvi (@humia_naqvi) November 1, 2025
“This region is not only the crown of Pakistan but also our northern gateway and a symbol of our lasting friendship with China,” he said, describing Gilgit-Baltistan as both strategically vital and rich in natural beauty and resources.
President Zardari praised the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for their seven decades of loyalty and service to Pakistan. “You have guarded our borders, advanced our national progress, and carried Pakistan’s flag to the world’s highest peaks,” he said.
He highlighted the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting that the project had brought new opportunities for trade, connectivity, and livelihoods in the region. “It is our collective duty to ensure that these benefits reach every valley and every village, creating shared prosperity for all,” the president added.
Tribute to the Martyrs and Call for Justice
Paying tribute to the heroes and Ghazis of Gilgit-Baltistan, President Zardari said the region’s history was “a story of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism.”
He also drew attention to the ongoing struggle of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling their plight an “unfinished journey of freedom.”
“While the people of Gilgit-Baltistan enjoy liberty and rights under the flag of Pakistan, our brothers and sisters in IIOJK continue to face occupation and repression,” he said. “Pakistan stands with them until they achieve freedom in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and their own aspirations.”
Pride in Progress and Unity
President Zardari praised the government and people of Gilgit-Baltistan for their contributions to Pakistan’s unity, security, and development. He emphasized the region’s potential in tourism, minerals, and renewable energy, urging continued investment in health and education to uplift remote communities.
He concluded by expressing his personal affection for the region, calling it “a home close to my heart” and lauding the people’s spirit of resilience and patriotism.
Governor Mehdi Shah described November 1 as “a day of freedom, sacrifice, and self-determination that gave us our identity,” while Chief Minister Gulbar Khan praised the people’s devotion, saying their patriotism “continues to strengthen Pakistan’s stability and cohesion.”
