GILGIT: Both the treasury and opposition legislators in the GilgitBaltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) on Wednesday condemned the comments of the US Defence Secretary James Mattis that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passed through a `disputed`territory,anobviousreference to the mega project`s route through GB.

Theyurged thefederalgovern-ment to decide the GB`s longawaited constitutional status and declare it constitutional part of Pakistan to stop the enemies of the country from propagating against the multibillion dollar project.

They said that the comments of the US defence secretary were incendiary and that he spoke the language of India, the arch-rival of Pakistan. Speaking on a callingattention notice during the ongoing session of the GBLA, opposition Islami Tehreek Pakistan lawmaker Mohammad Shafi said the international powers were hatching conspiracies against Pakistan to foil the CPEC.

`All GB people regardless of their political affiliations considerthe statement as an attack on Pakistan`s sovereignty as people consider themselves as part of Pakistan,` he remarked.

Mr Shafi said such remarks were because the federal government had so far failed to declare GB as part of Pakistan. He lamented that two unanimously passed resolutions in the GBLA, demanding that the federal government declare GB constitutional part of Pakistan, went unheeded.

`Taxes have been imposed on GB people without providing them representation in parliament of Pakistan which is unacceptable, he told the assembly.

Taking part in the debate, GBLA deputy speaker Jaffarullah Khan said India was arch enemy ofPakistan and would never want such projects completed.

The statement of US defence secretary is uttered to appease New Delhi, he claimed.

`GB is not a disputed territory as the people after getting independence from Dogra Raj had annexed to Pakistan unconditionally seven decades ago. GB was part of Pakistan, is part of Pakistan and will be part of Pakistan,` he declared.

Jaffarullah Khan said about 500-kilometre CPEC route would pass through GB, but the central governments had deprived the people of their constitutional rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman condemned the statement of Mattisandsaidtheyhadalreadyexpressed apprehensions that enemies of Pakistanwouldmakebidstothwart the project. He said the US never wanted completion of CPEC, keeping up its old anti-Pakistan stand.

`CPEC will connect about 70 countries, both through sea and land routes, crisscrossing Pakistani territories. The GB people feel proud that the route of the gigantic project will also cover their territory,` he added.

Oppositionleader Haji Shah Baig condemned the US official`s statement and said this was because of weak policies of the government.

PPP`s Javed Hussain said determination of constitutional status was the fundamental right of GB people.