AS Gilgit-Baltistan goes to the poll on the 15th of this month, Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to the region announced to grant it the status of a provisional province. Undoubtedly this step is long overdue. The administrative, political and economic reforms have been a longstanding demand of the people of GB and the envisaged provisional reforms reflect the aspirations of the indigenous populace of the region.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was also categorical in saying that the GB is being granted the status in light of the UN Security Council resolutions, implying that this will not affect the country’s long standing stance on the Kashmir dispute. In our view, the move will further strengthen Pakistan’s Kashmir stance at the United Nations, instead of weakening it as is assumed by some quarters, since it gives constitutional protection to the ‘material’ change’ clause of the UN Security Council resolution on Kashmir. The material change clause of the UNSC resolution prevents both Pakistan and India from changing the demographic and cultural landscape of the regions in their respective control. While India revoked Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s special status to effect ‘material change’ there, Pakistan’s elevation of GB honours the clause. Hence, the very objections of India on the issue are totally uncalled for and as stated by our Foreign Office they have no locus standi whatsoever on the issue-legal, moral or historical. Secondly as there is consensus amongst the political parties in the country to grant provisional province status to GB, we are confident that they while rising above their political differences will show unison in Parliament to pass the constitutional amendment which requires two thirds majority. The work on it should immediately be started soon after the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan without entering into any controversy over the outcome of polls there. It is the right of the GB people to whom they elect and the political parties must show respect to their mandate. Since the start of work on the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, this region has assumed greater significance because of its close proximity with China. Therefore, all out efforts should be made for its development and bring it at par with other developed areas of the country. Doing so will also help exploit the true tourism potential of this picturesque region as well as attract investment in different sectors. At the same time, our government should also remain fully alert of the sordid designs of our enemy which can go to any extent to disturb law and order situation in this important region.
