Gilgit-Baltistan Independence Day

Gilgit-Baltistan Independence Day
یومِ آزادی گِلگِت بَلتِسْتان
Gilgit Scouts raising the Pakistani flag during Gilgit Revolt at Gilgit, c. 1947
Observed by Gilgit-Baltistan
SignificanceCommemorates the independence and accession to Pakistan
CelebrationsFlag hoisting, parade, award ceremony, singing patriotic songs and the national anthem, speeches by the Governor and Chief Minister, entertainment and cultural programs
Date1 November
Next time1 November 2026 (2026-11-01)
Frequencyannual

Gilgit-Baltistan Independence Day (Urdu: یومِ آزادی گِلگِت بَلتِسْتان) is celebrated on 1 November every year in Gilgit-Baltistan to mark independence from Dogra Raj in 1947–48.[1] It is a public holiday in Gilgit-Baltistan. The flag hoisting ceremony is attended by the Governor, Chief Minister, and Force Commander Northern Areas, along with civil and military officials and war veterans of Gilgit-Baltistan.[2][3]

Until 2009, Gilgit and Baltistan celebrated independence day on 1 November and 14 August, the date of liberation of Skardu, respectively. After the passing of Gilgit-Baltistan Self-governance Order, 1 November was selected as the official date.[4]

Background

Main articles: 1947 Gilgit rebellion and Siege of Skardu

On 1 November 1947, Brigadier Ghansara Singh, the governor appointed in Gilgit by Maharaja Hari Singh of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested by the local force of Gilgit Scouts under Major William Brown and Subedar-Major Babar Khan through a military coup. A provisional government was established under the name of Republic of Gilgit, of which Raja Shah Rais Khan was appointed as the president and Captain Mirza Hassan Khan as the commander-in-chief. The provisional government announced its accession to Pakistan on 16 November. The princely states of Hunza and Nagar signed formal documents of accession with the Governor-General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 3 and 18 November, respectively.[5][6]

In the following months, Colonel Aslam Khan and other military leaders raised a local force known as Ibex Force, consisting of Gilgit Scouts, rebel elements of Jammu and Kashmir State Forces, forces of Hunza and Nagar, and local veterans, and lead them into Baltistan. Skardu was liberated by Chitral Scouts and Chitral Bodyguard under Colonel Mata-ul-Mulk on 14 August 1948.[7]

Events

The main ceremony is held at Chinar Bagh, Gilgit, besides the Yadghar-e-Shuhada (martyrs' memorial).[8][9]

The 72nd independence day ceremony was attended in 2019 by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, the first PM to do so.[10] In 2020 during the Gilgit-Baltistan independence day celebration event in Gilgit, Imran Khan announced the provisional province status for Gilgit-Baltistan.[11][12] The 2025 independence day ceremony was attended by Asif Ali Zardari, the current President of Pakistan.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ahmad, Sajjad (1 November 2020). "History: The Gilgit-baltistan Conundrum". Dawn. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Gilgit-Baltistan celebrates Independence Day today". Geo News. APP. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  3. ^ Rizvi, Fakhir (31 October 2018). "Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) To Celebrate Independence Day On Nov 1". UrduPoint. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  4. ^ Irshad, Danish (29 November 2025). "Gilgit Baltistan Diary: Election Bugle Raises Stakes in High Mountains". Kashmir Times. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  5. ^ Bangash, Yaqoob Khan (1 November 2017). "Gilgit's Independence Day". Daily Times.
  6. ^ "Gilgit-Baltistan — part of Pakistan by choice". The Express Tribune. 8 January 2016.
  7. ^ Fateh-ul-Mulk Ali Nasir (24 November 2021). "Chitral's Role In The Liberation Of Gilgit-Baltistan". The Friday Times. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Gilgit-Baltistan celebrates 78th Liberation Day with tributes and flag hoisting ceremonies". Daily Times. 1 November 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Gilgit: Chinar Bagh Yadgar-e-Shuhada inaugurated after renovation". Pamir Times. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  10. ^ "GB independence day: PM pays tribute to 'heroes who sacrificed for Pakistan'". Dawn. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  11. ^ Butt, Tariq (1 November 2020). "VIDEO: Pakistan PM Imran Khan announces provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan". Gulf Today. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Govt decides to give provisional provincial status to GB: PM". The Nation. 1 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022.
  13. ^ "President salutes heroes who liberated G-B". The Express Tribune. 2 November 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
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