Ex-nationalist leader once branded ‘Indian agent’ joins PPP

GILGIT: Nationalist leader from Gilgit-Baltistan, Abdul Hamid Khan, who was accused of leading a separatist movement and promoting an anti-Pakistan agenda under India’s influence, has joined the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) along with his followers.

According to a statement issued by PPP, the announcement was made at a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday. Deputy Speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Sadia Danish, PPP G-B chapter president Amjad Advocate, and Jamil Ahmed attended the event.

Abdul Hamid Khan, who led the Balawaristan National Front (Hameed Group) (BNF-H), surrendered to Pakistani authorities in 2019 after years of self-exile. His activism focused on advocating for the rights and independence of Gilgit-Baltistan, leading him to face serious accusations and threats, which prompted his years abroad.

During the conference, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Secretary General of PPP Parliamentarians, warmly welcomed him. Bukhari highlighted the significance of Khan’s decision, stating, “An important political figure from Gilgit-Baltistan, Abdul Hamid Khan, has joined PPP. Today, he has formally declared his membership. Abdul Hamid wants to play a central role in politics, and we welcome him to our party. His inclusion will strengthen PPP’s presence in Gilgit-Baltistan.”

Abdul Hamid Khan shared his extensive political background and the challenges he faced as a proponent of rights for Gilgit-Baltistan. “I began my political career with the Movement for Independence,” Khan said. “

He highlighted the historical neglect and threats he faced due to his stance on the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan, stating, “Our region has not been given proper citizenship rights, and advocating for provincial rights often branded us as traitors. We have been kept at a distance from Pakistan’s political arena, and there have been times when our demands led to legal actions against us, putting my life at risk. “

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“I spent 22 years abroad, which made me realize that it wasn’t the UN but PPP under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that provided us rights”, he added.

Background of Abdul Hamid Khan

Abdul Hamid Khan is a controversial figure in the politics of Gilgit-Baltistan, known for his advocacy for the region’s independence and autonomy. He founded the nationalist party Balawaristan National Front (BNF) in 1995, which led to direct conflict with Pakistani authorities and accusations of sedition. To avoid prosecution, Khan went into self-imposed exile in 1999, initially moving to Nepal and then to India, where he was reportedly handled by an agent from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). In 2007, he was relocated to Brussels to engage in anti-Pakistani activities on international platforms, including lobbying against funding for Pakistani dam projects in areas claimed by BNF-H.

Khan spent 20 years living in India and Belgium. However, after decades abroad, he unconditionally surrendered to Pakistani security officials on February 8, 2019. In September 2020, during a press conference in Gilgit, he publicly abandoned his separatist movement and disclosed that he had been funded by RAW with a monthly stipend of 25,000 Euros to create unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan. Instead, he claimed to have used these funds to support students and needy people. Khan also offered an apology to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for his anti-state activities, marking a significant turn in his political journey from separatism to mainstream politics within Pakistan.