Amid regular reports of atrocities on people of Gilgit-Baltistan, an area occupied by Pakistan, activist and director of Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Studies Senge H Sering said historically Pakistan has no right over that land. "Legally" the area belongs to India and therefore all those who are original inhabitants of that area are Indian citizens.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Recent Developments in POJK' (Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) organised by ICWA in New Delhi, Senge Sering said, "We have been citizens of India. We never ceased to be citizens of India. Legally and technically, we are Indian citizens. We've always been Indian citizens and that is why Pakistan can never grant us constitutional rights. We have binding documents to prove that we are Indian citizens."

He highlighted the kind of demographic changes that Pakistan is making in the region to influence decisions and assimilate the region with the rest of Pakistan. Amid stiff resistance from the inhabitants, the military is using force and fear to suppress them.

Comparing it to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Senge said, "It is very unfortunate that while Pakistan talks about the demographic situation in Kashmir, it is openly and speedily changing the demography in Baltistan bringing its own citizens and settling them in a systematic manner on the roads leading to Afghanistan, on the road to China; changing the demography."

The other major aspect that the activist touched upon was the issue of Indus Waters Treaty and argues that it should be revoked. Pakistan always cries hoarse on the issue of inequitable distribution of water by India, but in reality Islamabad deprives the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK access to water and electricity, to which they should have the first right.

"We believe that Indus Waters Treaty should be done away with. It is an unfair agreement because Pakistan uses the Treaty as an excuse to deny us the royalty over the water that passes through Gilgit-Baltistan for over 600 kms. We believe that J&K, Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan have first right over these waters and Pakistan should recognise that", he said.

Indus Waters Treaty allows water rights to the constitutional parts of Pakistan which automatically excludes Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) since they are not citizens of Pakistan.

"There are different rights under IWT, one is the compensation you get for the passage of water, second is when it is exploited; we get neither", he added.

The fact that Pakistan military has the entire region under its control and it is strategically positioned is the reason why the Pakistani establishment used these territories to train terrorists but now with social media, Senge said it was becoming difficult for the establishment to conceal the truth.

"Camps exist. During the Kargil war, these camps existed. Now, because of social media, it is becoming difficult for Pakistan to conceal those camps so they are more careful. They receive huge support from Pakistani military and receive training in AfPak. A lot of logistical support to the terror groups such as Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Hizbul, TTP, Sipah-e-Salah, etc."

While Pakistan keeps trying to raise the issue of Kashmir at international platforms, it has been the biggest violator of human rights which is highlighted on a regular basis by people who have fled the atrocities of Pakistani an=my and live in exile across the world.