Balawaristan National Front (Naji)

The Balawaristan National Front is a Pakistani political party in  Gilgit-Baltistan. It  was formed on December 28, 1989 under the Chairmanship of Nawaz Khan Naji. It was reorganized in July 30 1993. In 1947 at the time of Independence of Pakistan the people of the area were mostly Shia Muslims.  However over the years the ethnic composition has changed. Sunni Kashmiri and other Pakistanis have settled in this area leading to discontent - although Shias remain the outright majority. A 2008 report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which included Gilgit-Baltistan, was 'Not Free'. In 2009 as part of the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order Act of 2009, the region was granted self-rule for the first time with an elected legislature in its history. The Republic of India says that Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of the former Princely state of Kashmir and Jammu and an 'integral part' of India.Gilgit-Baltistan is part of Kashmir, asserts India It regards the disputed region as Indian territory.

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