Reema Shaukat
GILGIT-Baltistan undoubtedly is known as the Jewel of Pakistan because of its manifold importance to our motherland. Gilgit-Baltistan region has a total area of 72,496 sq. kms with around 2 million population and lies at the extreme north of Pakistan. It is bordered by China on the north, India on the east and Afghanistan and Central Asian states on the west. Gilgit-Baltistan is considered as the most spectacular region due to its varied natural splendour. Unique landscapes, evergreen forests, cold deserts, snow-capped mountains and great cultural heritage give this region unmatchable attraction to people around the globe. Being not only a famous tourist spot, it is regarded as paradise for mountaineers, trekkers and landscape loving people. History of GB is quite diverse as it remained under the command of different rulers. History suggests that this region of Gilgit-Baltistan, owing to its geographical location and trade routes passing through it which linked the subcontinent to China and Central Asia, became worthwhile to Sikhs of Punjab and Dogras of Kashmir. Therefore, the Sikhs and Dogras attacked and occupied a large part of Gilgit-Baltistan from 1840 to 1890. From 1890 to 1935 British ruled this area and after 1935 under an agreement, the Kashmir Government leased out the region west of river Indus to the British for a period of 60 years. This lease was, however, terminated in July 1947 and an era of struggle for freedom began with the partition of the sub-continent.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan got freedom from the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir on 1 November 1947 through their own resources, and hence they established a new state of their own, with Raja Shah Rais Khan as the first President while Mirza Hassan Khan the Commander-in-Chief of the Gilgit Scouts. The region ran its own government for 15 days and then offered Pakistan to take over the administration and to give the inhabitants citizenship and other rights. In 1950, the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs was established replacing the control of Government of the then NWFP and a political resident as an agent of Governor General was directed to look after the affairs. In 1952, the Joint Secretary, Kashmir Affairs Division, was entrusted as chief advisor for Azad Kashmir and was given additional charge of GB administrative affairs. From 1967 to 1974, the administrative structure of GB was reshaped and Hunza and Nagar were absorbed in Pakistan. During various successive civil and military governments in Pakistan, the locals, political and social representatives demanded developmental projects and reforms for the uplift of the region. In 2009, Parliament of Pakistan gave approval of various fundamental and far-reaching reforms package by declaring the Federally Administered Northern Areas as the new province of Gilgit-Baltistan. Thus, as a result, a complete provincial setup has been created. On 29 August 2009, the Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009 was passed by the Cabinet of Pakistan which granted self-rule to the people of the former Northern Areas, renamed “Gilgit-Baltistan” having nine districts and formed an elected legislative assembly.
Recently elections were held in Gilgit-Baltistan to show how Pakistan wants its all provinces to be politically stable. Hence the mainstream political parties’ representatives contested the elections and present government candidates attained desired victory for forming the future government in the GB. However, before the elections, certain factors are quite concerning for Pakistanis where Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which claims itself to be representative of Pakistani public and comprises coalition made by political parties who remained in power in the past and want ouster of this government. The PDM, an alliance of 11 opposition parties, was formed in September and has held rallies to achieve their goals. So far it has planned protests and marches towards the federal capital in coming months after holding demonstrations in other cities. Apart from Covid-19 outbreak during such rallies and people’s gathering is a certain threat to the overall country situation. Another concern observed during the previous PDM gatherings was the hate speech by representatives against the institutions and made allegations of rigging the 2018 general election. Whatever the demands and charter of any political party is, they must not forget that Pakistan’s all institutions have supported free and fair chosen democratic government by the public. It is baseless to drag those institutions in politics who have major responsibility of defending territorial borders of the country and who are frontline fighters in saving all countrymen.
Certainly, the present government has major challenges like economic crises, global pandemic outburst which has affected every country economically, foreign policy goals and welfare of people but political stability being the determinant of sovereignty of any country is equally pertinent. With political stability, economic growth and sustenance is linked and other socio-economic drivers carry equal weightage for a political stable Pakistan. One thing, we all must keep in mind that in these crucial times, when an enemy is always ready to sabotage Pakistan, we must not give them a chance by cashing their agenda and disturbing the political system or harmony which is the need of the time. Sabotaging CPEC or GB has remained the target of India and it will continue to do so in coming days but it’s the responsibility of Pakistan to highlight Indian plans. There is a need to enhance the role of GB throughout Pakistan so that people should understand the worth and culture of that area. People of GB should be given better opportunities, more economic strength and their role in Pakistan’s development should be highlighted everywhere. Political rivalries always exist but those political differences should not affect the life of those who are sharing a major chunk of their obligations towards Pakistan.
—The Islamabad-based writer works as Senior Coordinator at PAYF.
