After every five year the people of Gilgit Baltistan which got independence in 1948 from the Dogra Raj, get a hope of recognition as different parties came with a slogan of giving them equal rights as all citizens of Pakistan enjoys. But this time this slogan of recognition has taken a storm with a presidential order of the general election for The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, a 33-seat unicameral house, to was held on November 15. The Concentrations of all major parties including state institutions are now shift towards it that who will be more influencing in government affairs in this strategically important region of Pakistan with regards to CPEC and Pakistan’s developments as it is the gateway to Pakistan-China friendship. After false-flag campaign of all major parties, voters of the region didn’t distracted and finally empowered the central ruling party in the region.
Afterwards major players from all parties came to Gilgit Baltistan. With Prime minister Imran Khan promise to make Gilgit Baltistan a constitutional province gained major supports of masses and looks like he would be successful in making government.
But if we look back at past elections every leader has promised to make grant full constitutional rights but it never came true as there are certain constraint and the primary of it is the Kashmir cause and Gilgit Baltistan according to UN charter it is a disputed territory. The question arises whether this time Pakistan would make a rigid decision to make it legally part of Pakistan with a provincial status or it will grant a setup like Kashmir as both regions are in same case. Most of the people demands Kashmir setup as it would not weaken the Kashmir because which is important for Pakistan strategically.
if Pakistan grants the provincial status to Gilgit Baltistan, can it have legal rights to oppose Indian withdrawal of Article 370 from disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir?
now it’s time for Pakistan to make a permanent decision for this region with fulfilling demands of the local for a constitutional rights and representation in major government bodies ending their long-lasted feeling of inferiority since 1948.
We hope this election would be the pivotal point to make a positive change as major key players of the world have full focus in the region for their own interests
Adnan Haider from Skardu
