President Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing the 78th Independence Day ceremony of Gilgit-Baltistan, conveyed a message of development and prosperity for the region.

He said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has created new opportunities for employment, trade, and connectivity in Gilgit-Baltistan. He emphasized that the collective goal is to extend these benefits to every valley and village so that prosperity is shared by all. The President reaffirmed his commitment to making Gilgit-Baltistan a model region of development, justice, and equality.

Referring to the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, President Zardari said that while the people of Gilgit-Baltistan enjoy freedom and rights, their Kashmiri brothers and sisters remain under occupation. He assured that Pakistan will continue to stand by them until they achieve freedom in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He highlighted that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have journeyed “side by side” with the rest of Pakistan for the past seven decades. The region, he said, is not only the crown of Pakistan but also its northern gateway and a symbol of the country’s everlasting friendship with China — best represented by the Karakoram Highway.

President Zardari said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has always extended a hand of friendship and affection toward the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He added that providing education and healthcare in every valley, and ensuring schools are available everywhere, remain among his top priorities. He also pointed out the region’s strengths, including its potential for hydropower generation and vast opportunities in tourism.

In conclusion, the President prayed for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to continue playing an active role in building a prosperous and progressive Pakistan.