GB independence day: PM pays tribute to 'heroes who sacrificed for Pakistan'.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, while delivering a historic address on the independence day celebrations in Gilgit-Baltistan, paid special tribute to the martyrs of the region "who laid down their lives for Pakistan multiple times".

"On this day, I especially wish to pay tribute to the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan who sacrificed in Kargil, in the war against terrorism, and the heroes of 1947 and 1948," said Prime Minister Imran, who became the first premier to take part in the celebrations.

"Pakistan is not fully aware of what happened here in 1947, that the people here fought a war for independence, defeated the Dogra rule and got their freedom, and then fought in Skardu and Baltistan and gained independence there the next year in 1948."

He said that Pakistan is "a special gift granted to us by God". "Our rallying cry was Pakistan ka matlab kya? La illaha illallah."

"This means that we are the Prophet Muhammad's ummat. We are the only nation to have been formed on the name of Islam and thus carry a great responsibility on our shoulders. We must emulate the state of Madina. The state which was the Prophet's sunnah," said the premier.

"On this day of independence as I stand here, I want to say to the whole nation: we must follow those rules and the foundation that was laid then. And that's how we will progress. The two foundation stones on which the state of Madina rested are justice and law.

"These must be followed. You will then see how our country rises. You will see it will be a shining example in the world."

The prime minister also spoke of Kashmiris "who have been languishing under a curfew of the cruel Modi government, whose rights have been snatched, who have been kept prisoner not like humans but like animals with a 900,000-strong army".

"Today, I give them the message: The entire nation stands behind you and is praying for you."

The prime minister vowed to continue to raise his voice for the rights of Kashmiris. "I have already become your lawyer and spokesperson and I will fight your case in the entire world."

The premier took a moment to thank God that the people of GB "are not suffering from the oppression Kashmiris are facing".

"Modi, however, has played his last card. As soon as the curfew is lifted, a sea of people will come out to fight for their independence and...