GILGIT, Nov 1, 2025: A ceremony was held in Gilgit on Saturday to mark the 78th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan, attended by President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest.
The event highlighted the region’s historic struggle for freedom and its continued aspirations for development and national integration.
President Zardari was welcomed by Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan on his arrival at the venue. The governor presented the president with a traditional Gilgit-Baltistan cap, symbolizing the region’s proud cultural identity and hospitality.
The president reviewed a ceremonial parade and later addressed the gathering. “Gilgit-Baltistan is my home,” he declared, paying tribute to the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of its people. “The bravery and patriotism of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan can never be forgotten,” he said, emphasizing the region’s vital role in Pakistan’s unity and progress.
In his remarks, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan acknowledged that despite the area’s vast natural resources, many remote regions still face developmental challenges. “The people of Gilgit-Baltistan want to be fully integrated into the national mainstream,” he said, adding, “We salute the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army in defending the country against any aggression.”
The Independence Day celebrations commemorated the historic uprising of 1947, when the valiant people of Gilgit-Baltistan liberated their homeland from Dogra rule, paving the way for its eventual accession to Pakistan.