Bandipora, June 9: Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent killing of civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), expressing concern over the hardships faced by people living across the Line of Control (LoC).
Speaking to media persons, Gurezi described the people on both sides of the LoC as “brothers separated by a line,” emphasizing the deep historical, cultural and familial bonds that continue to unite communities across the divide. He expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives and called for greater attention to the welfare and aspirations of the people residing in the region.
The National Conference leader also criticized Pakistan’s role in the region, alleging that it had compromised the strategic interests of Gilgit-Baltistan by allowing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to pass through the area. He asserted that Gilgit-Baltistan forms part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that Pakistan had effectively ceded strategic control of the region to China through the corridor project.
Highlighting the historical significance of the area, Gurezi said Gilgit has traditionally remained linked with Gurez and shares longstanding geographical and cultural connections with the region.
Underscoring the strategic importance of Gurez, the MLA said the border constituency occupies a vital position from both defence and security perspectives and remains one of India’s most sensitive frontier regions.
Welcoming the recent approval for the proposed Bandipora-Gurez National Highway, Gurezi thanked Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for prioritizing infrastructure development in the remote district. He said the project would significantly improve connectivity, promote tourism, facilitate trade and contribute to the overall economic growth of Bandipora and Gurez.
The MLA also expressed optimism regarding the long-pending Gurez Tunnel project, stating that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be announced soon. He said the tunnel would ensure all-weather connectivity to the valley, ending the seasonal isolation of the region and opening new avenues for development.
Expressing confidence in the project’s future, Gurezi said he hopes the tunnel will be completed by 2029, transforming the socio-economic landscape of Gurez while further strengthening its strategic importance.