Trouble mounts for Pakistan, Gilgit people demand compensation

Pakistan has encroached land of 193 families since 1949 in the name of development and to construct Gilgit airport. However, there is no sign of development in the region, locals alleged.

Gilgit Baltistan:There seems to be no respite for debt-ridden Pakistan, as it landed in a fresh trouble after People in Gilgit-Baltistan held protests on Wednesday demanding compensation from Islamabad for their encroached land.

Pakistan has encroached land of 193 families since 1949 in the name of development and to construct Gilgit airport. However, there is no sign of development in the region, locals alleged.

The demonstrators alleged that the issue garners politicians' attention before every election and they come up with their template scripts assuring compensation. However, all promises are yet to be fulfilled.

A large number of tourists visit Gilgit-Baltistan every year and the airport is the single major connectivity point.

The exchequer of Pakistan has made billions of rupees because of the Gilgit airport but has deprived the people, who sacrificed their land and possessions during the construction, the protesters said.

"Today we are not begging but are demanding our rights and if there comes any obstacle in between then we have all the rights to resist and fight them," one of the protesters said.