{
  "id": 17740893,
  "title": "Gilgit-Baltistan celebrates 79 years of independence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/gilgit-baltistan-celebrates-79-years-of-independence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T03:52:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2041527/gilgit-baltistan-celebrates-79-years-of-independence"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gilgit-Baltistan, a remote region in Pakistan, marked its 79th Independence Day on Sunday with great enthusiasm. The celebrations took place across all 10 districts of the region, characterized by military parades, cultural events, and a deep sense of patriotism. The day commemorates the GB Scouts' heroic act of liberating the land from Dogra rule on November 1, 1947, and raising the Pakistani flag, forming an independent state that eventually joined Pakistan.\n\nThe festivities kicked off with a morning flag-hoisting ceremony at the historic Chinar Bagh in Gilgit, attended by top officials including Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, Force Commander GB Maj Gen Tajdeed Mumtaz, and other ministers and representatives. They laid floral wreaths at the martyrs' memorial and offered prayers, followed by a military salute by police and GB Scouts. The atmosphere was filled with paragliding performances and local sports competitions, with many participants donning traditional attire.\n\nIn his speech, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain highlighted the significance of November 1 as a day of glory for Gilgit-Baltistan, when the ancestors bravely fought and liberated the region from Dogra rule, expressing their unity with Pakistan's ideology. He urged the current generation to honor the sacrifices of their forefathers and continue striving for progress, prosperity, peace, and justice.\n\nPresident Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed their warm wishes to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, paying tribute to the brave individuals who participated in the historic struggle. Additionally, the Inter-Services Public Relations released a special song dedicated to the region's heroes, featuring local artists and poetry by Zeeshan Mehdi and vocals by JJ Ali Shina from Skardu. The song beautifully encapsulated the spirit of the region and its unwavering love for Pakistan.",
  "summary": "GILGIT: The 79th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) was celebrated across the region on Sunday with traditional zeal and fervour, marked by military parades, cultural festivities, polo competitions and tributes to the heroes who liberated the homeland from Dogra rule. On Nov 1, 1947, the GB Scouts liberated the region from the Dogra Raj and raised the flag of freedom, declaring an…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Gilgit-Baltistan celebrates Independence Day with patriotic fervour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/gilgit-baltistan-celebrates-independence-day-with-patriotic-fervour",
        "published": "2026-11-01T08:08:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}