Gilgit-Baltistan: A hopeless and deprived region in Pakistan

In December 2022, the Pakistani government appropriated commercial land in Gilgit-Baltistan, claiming that it belongs to the government rather than to the families who have lived on it for generations. This act is the latest in a long history of abuses against the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), who first came under Pakistani rule in 1949. Initially, the people fought against the Dogra (Kashmiri Maharajas) government and declared their independence in 1949. As a Muslim-majority region, the inhabitants preferred to join Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan is considered a disputed territory by China, Pakistan, the United Nations, and India. The Pakistani state oversees GB's political and administrative affairs. In 2009, GB was granted a provincial assembly with limited political power. Recently, riots erupted in response to the state's attempts to demolish property and appropriate land. The inhabitants of the region have expressed their anger over the forced appropriation of their land.

Since 1949, Pakistan has been forcibly acquiring land in Gilgit-Baltistan without providing sufficient legal and constitutional protections for the rights of the people. Recently, individuals from various regions, political backgrounds, and faiths have united to protest against issues such as land rights violations, high taxes, frequent power outages, and the subsidized wheat distributed by the Pakistani government. They are chanting slogans like "No taxation without representation," "We want political representation," and "We want a share in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," as they demand justice and representation.

The Pakistan Army exerts control over the political, economic, and social lives of its citizens through coercion, utilizing both incentives and punishments. In the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, the state systematically suppresses and victimizes the local population, preventing them from mobilizing for their rights. When demands for recognition and protection of these rights arise, the state often responds by instigating sectarian violence, which has significantly damaged the region's social and cultural fabric. The malicious interests of the Pakistani state have hindered the socioeconomic and cultural prosperity of the people.

Gilgit-Baltistan is abundant in natural resources and has the potential to generate up to 40,000 MW of electricity, which could help resolve the country's ongoing energy crisis and save billions of dollars in oil imports. Additionally, its proximity to China, India, and Central Asian countries adds to its geostrategic significance. GB serves as the gateway to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. 

The region is home to some of the world's highest mountains, including K2, and is rich in minerals, gems, and various herbs. Its natural ecology attracts thousands of tourists each year. However, despite the numerous advantages of the region, Gilgit-Baltistan faces significant challenges due to increasing control by the Pakistani state. While provinces in Pakistan have the authority to collect taxes, legislate, and exercise executive power, GB remains under the control of the military, politicians, and bureaucracy. This has resulted in a top-down approach to decision-making, limiting the region's development and autonomy.

The Indian media fuels anti-Pakistan sentiment among the citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan, exacerbating tensions between the two countries. In contrast, the mainstream Pakistani media remains largely silent about the ongoing issues. As a result of the ongoing rivalry among China, India, and Pakistan, the people of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan continue to suffer. Unfortunately, international organizations and governments often succumb to lobbying pressures or lack the moral courage to address the atrocities and oppression in the region.

The socioeconomic development of Gilgit-Baltistan is significantly lacking, with many residents living in extreme poverty. The state of Pakistan is responsible for the current situation in the region, as the absence of individual rights and self-determination has hindered Gilgit-Baltistan from collecting revenue, enacting laws, and managing its affairs effectively. Rights are fundamental to the progress of any society, as they empower individuals to take charge of social, economic, and political development.

Safeguarding rights empowers individuals to shape their futures and find solutions to their problems. Without these protections, people become vulnerable to exploitation. The exploitation of Gilgit-Baltistan could have been prevented if the local population had adequate safeguards for their rights and self-determination. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are demanding political, legal, and constitutional rights. 

In contrast, India incorporated Jammu and Kashmir into its territory by abolishing Article 370, granting it legal status. However, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan do not enjoy a similar special status or constitutional representation. The state-sponsored sectarian violence, human rights violations, and underdevelopment in this region pose significant concerns for South Asia's future. 

The international community must work to address these issues to ensure a sustainable future for the region.