“We believe the attempts of some people to fabricate stories to provoke China-Pakistan or China-India relations are doomed to fail,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu in a brief statement late last night, which was circulated by the state run Xinhua.

The comment came in response to a report in the New York Times on Aug 28 that China had deployed more than 10,000 troops in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.

The denial of Chinese troops presence came from Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khan yesterday, who while refuting reports said that ‘a humanitarian team’ from China in the Gilgit area to assist the flood victims.

“The story is not true and totally fabricated,” he told Chinese state run Global Times daily.

Mr. Khan said there are no Chinese troops in the area, but a humanitarian team from China is currently there to carry out relief operations.

The NYT report attributed the military presence to China’s plans to gain a “grip on the strategic area to ensure unfettered road and rail access to the Gulf through Pakistan.”

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“The Chinese were working on landslide, flood hit areas and on the destroyed Korakoram Highway with the permission of Pakistani Government,” said Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit.

Selig Harrison in his article, published in the New York Times, wrote that on invitation of the Pakistani government ‘seven to eleven thousand’ Chinese soldiers had entered Gilgit Baltistan area.

Referring to the article, Basit said “The statements are based on incomplete information. Harrison has an anti-Pakistan mindset and has tried to deform the facts in his article to sensitize the situation.” –

Source: DawnNews

GILGIT: Over 30 trucks of relief goods from China arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday for those affected by the Attabad landslide lake disaster in January.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah received the Chinese delegation that accompanied the convoy from China to Sost via the Karakoram Highway. “We are thankful to our time-tested friend China, which has always helped us in the time of need,” said Shah, while addressing a ceremony in Sost that was arranged in honour of the Chinese delegation.

The relief supplies include rice, grains, flour and other essential food items. According to officials, at least 3,000 tons of stuff was in the trucks, which will be sufficient for the population for the next six months during which the Karakoram Highway remains blocked due to snowfall.

A massive landslide had blocked the Hunza River in January, creating a 24-kilometre-long lake. More than 25,000 people were rendered homeless after the lake swallowed about five villages upstream. The strategic Karokoram Highway was also blocked, severing Pakistan’s land link with China.

News reports suggest that law-enforcement personnel arrived only after the groups had stopped trading fire. Some observers have said the killings were the result of a personal feud; however, in a country where ethnic and sectarian hatreds are never far from the surface, the slightest disagreement can be given a communal colour. What is disturbing is that the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister has said some police officials were involved in fanning sectarianism; two policemen were among those taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the investigation of a murder case.

The Gilgit-Baltistan region is no stranger to sectarian turmoil. Though the area has experienced bouts of communal violence since the 1980s, the killing of Shia scholar Agha Ziauddin Rizvi in 2005 worsened the situation, with the last five years marked by periods of intermittent calm followed by spells of violence. Some observers are of the view that the violence in Gilgit-Baltistan is simply a reflection of the ugly wave of sectarianism engulfing the rest of Pakistan. While creating an atmosphere of sectarian harmony and tolerance might be a complicated, long-drawn-out exercise, what the Gilgit-Baltistan government must do is to ensure supremacy of the law and safeguard the lives and property of the citizens. Its efforts must be supplemented by the centre and the security apparatus. The government should take firm action against those who disturb the peace, while those functionaries of the state found involved in fanning hatred should be taken to task.

Angry people burnt 3 houses near Yadgar Chowk. However, no loss of life was reported till the coming of latest reports. Search operation has been started by the security forces to control the situation.

Gilgit situation has been tensed after unidentified persons killed four people on Tuesday night. Interior Minister Rehman Malik telephoned CM Gilgit-Baltistan and expressed concern on the situation. Malik assured him full cooperation in this regard.

Curfew imposed in some parts of Gilgit

GILGIT: A curfew has been imposed in parts of Gilgit following an exchange of fire between two rival groups.

Tension began when some unknown gunmen opened fire at a passenger van near Yadgar Roundabout. However, all passengers survived unhurt.

After the attack, aerial firing started in Yadgar and Nargal localities, spreading fear among the people.

The Home Department of Gilgit-Baltistan government immediately imposed curfew in the valley and ordered security forces to take action.

According to reports, security forces are finding it difficult to take action in the night.

People have been asked not to come out of their houses due to the curfew.

The government has decided to launch search operation in Yadagar, Nargal and its adjacent areas, where rangers, Northern Area Scouts and police have been deployed.

Prime Minister of Pakistan

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is visiting Gilgit today on 23-August-2010 to asses the damages done by the recent rains and flood in Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to media reports prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is visiting Gilgit city, capital of Gilgit-Baltistan today. During his visit the prime minister will assess the losses caused by the recent floods and landslides as a result of heavy moon soon rains. He will also meet Chief Minister , Governor, and members of Gilgit Baltistan Assembly.