Gilgit City Residents Protest for Airport Land Compensation Since 1948
Residents of Gilgit City in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) have been protesting near the Gilgit airport, demanding compensation for the land they contributed for the airport’s construction in 1948. Despite over 12 favorable decisions, the government has not taken serious action to resolve the issue.
The protesters have been calling on the government to fulfill its promises and have threatened to suspend airport operations if the compensation is not released soon. They criticized the local administration for not forwarding the required summary of the compensation to the relevant authorities as directed in previous orders.
A local leader mentioned that in 1948, the government took lands from more than 128 families for the development of PoGB. Many families preferred migration instead of waiting for compensation. In 1986, a promise was made to allot lands in another region, but the local government there did not fulfill this promise.
Protesters expressed their frustration, stating that decades have passed without authorities listening to their demands. They warned that they plan to expand the protest and are capable of encircling the airport if their compensation is not given.
Doubts Revealed
Gilgit City -: Gilgit City is a place in the northern part of Pakistan, in a region called Gilgit Baltistan.
Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan -: This is a region that is controlled by Pakistan but is also claimed by India. It’s in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent.
compensation -: Compensation means giving something, usually money, to someone because they have lost something or been harmed.
1948 -: 1948 is a year, and in this context, it is when the land was given for the airport’s construction.
favorable decisions -: Favorable decisions mean that the decisions made by authorities or courts were in support of the residents’ demands for compensation.
local administration -: Local administration refers to the local government officials who manage the area and its affairs.
suspend airport operations -: This means to stop the activities and flights at the airport temporarily.