Alberto Cirio MEP Concerned About Chinese Army in Gilgit Baltistan

BRUSSELS, October 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Alberto Cirio today released a letter to the media which was marked to Mr. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament.

The text of the letter is as follows:-

Subject: Increasing Chinese Military Presence in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Administered Kashmir

Dear Sir,

China has embarked upon a series of investments in two of the prominent regions of Pakistan, mainly Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Administered Kashmir. On the pretext of ensuring the safety of their workers, the Chinese have rapidly increased their military presence in the region. The presence of Chinese soldiers is also supposed to have a deterrent effect on possible challenges to Pakistani rule by the local population in both the provinces, which are seething with discontent against the Pakistani government. Chinese army personnel are present in Gilgit-Baltistan and are directly involved in creating a divide between Shia and Sunni. It is a threat not only to locals but for the entire region.

Similarly, the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan Administered Kashmir indicates a worrying alliance. It is an alliance that has the potential of threatening the stability of the region. The presence of Chinese troops in the Gilgit-Baltistan region also raised the question as to why Pakistan encourages the presence of Chinese soldiers, when it has always objected to the presence of Western forces on its territory and in its neighbourhood. The European Parliament should set up a mechanism to investigate the adverse efforts of the presence of the Chinese Military in Pakistan Administered Kashmir.