Does Gilgit-Baltistan really need elections?

The public votes and elects its representatives to form a government. Those elected by the people have been given authority and responsibility to address the problems and issues of the people. Gilgit-Baltistan is electing its representatives on June 7. The region does not enjoy constitutional rights and has been facing the worst human development. Elections are just a strategy employed by the federal government of Pakistan to control the region through federal ministers, bureaucrats, and the army. 

The representatives of the people in Gilgit-Baltistan’s legislative assembly are helpless and lack power. Most of the developmental and security decisions are made and managed by the federal government of Pakistan. Those elected by the people lack the courage and authority to address people's demands and rights.

Corruption, theft, and manipulation are widespread. Unemployment, low human development, lawlessness, and weak governance are the highest. The capital city, Gilgit, has no electricity, roads are pathetic, health care is dismal, and violence is exacerbating. Since the establishment of Gilgit-Baltistan’s legislative assembly in 2009, the government has failed to provide electricity. In the winter, there is no electricity at all because the river has no water, and the government only generates electricity from hydro.

It has been almost three years now, and the main roads have been in a pathetic condition since the government installed the sewage system. They laid pipes but forgot to mend the road they destroyed.  The dust, potholes, traffic, and pollution have affected the pleasant weather of Gilgit, created inconvenience, and increased health problems for the residents.

The GB lacks political rights in Pakistan; people show loyalty to the corrupt political parties of Pakistan. They elect a representative who only enjoys countless privileges from people's tax money. They do not enact any laws, and they have to get approvals from Pakistan for any independent decision and legislation. If a project exceeds a certain amount, they have to get approval from the federal government of Pakistan, which in itself squanders money.

 The federal government of Pakistan does not want the people of GB to sit in the national assembly and demand equal rights. The corrupt Pakistani governments have controlled everything in GB. The bureaucracy from other provinces holds key executive positions and get dictates form the establishment of Pakistan. They suppress people's right to freedom and liberty.

With this letter, I, as a citizen of Gilgit-Baltistan,  which is an independent region in Pakistan, demand that the United Nations take action against the government of Pakistan for its violation of basic human rights of the people of GB. I demand that the Pakistani government should be held accountable for human rights violations and systematic deprivation of freedom, liberty, and privileges of the people.

In a recent survey conducted by Gunair Welfare, it has been revealed that most people in GB do not trust the elections and want to get rid of the corrupt and inefficient political system that has been a tool for the corrupt bureaucracy, establishment, and politicians of Pakistan to suppress the rights of the people in GB. The corrupt government of Pakistan uses this system to create fear, underdevelopment, and control over 3 million people of Gilgit-Baltistan. People are miserable in terms of education, health, basic necessities, and security.

GB has no industry, no electricity, no freedom of speech, no quality education, no health, no investment, no internet, no transport, no peace, no rights, and no say. Everything and all is controlled and enjoyed by the thieves from other parts of Pakistan who are willing to be posted to the region so that they make illicit money and enjoy luxury benefits at the cost of the poor people of GB. I  request the UN to intervene and help our future generation to see a sustainable future for them.

Nayyar Abbas's passion is writing. He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science and a master's in Development Studies in Peace and Conflict. He writes about economics, politics, religion, philosophy, and peace. His aim is to highlight classical liberal ideas of economics, politics, and identity changes in a fast-transforming world.

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