Gilgit Baltistan; the northern area of Pakistan, and an inseparable part have great importance in geostrategic and in the international arena by providing trade links with China and Central Asian Republic countries. GB serves as the junction of Karakoram, Hindukush, and Himalayas. It is famous for its natural beauty; an entertainment hub for foreigners and local trippers, hospitality, mountains: K2 the second highest mountain in the world, dry fruits, Basha Dam, CPEC; the game-changer projects for Pakistan. Can the trade accord, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC pass from this area without giving the status of the province? The question was raised by the traditional rival, India whenever she needed to interfere in the internal matters of Pakistan.
CPEC Paved the Way for the Constitutional Rights of Gilgit Baltistan, but further delay in the constitutional status can allow India to further destabilize Pakistan.
The legal merging of Gilgit Baltistan and assigning the status of the fifth province not only strengthens the trade links between China and Pakistan but can fulfill the long-lasting wish of the locals who have been struggling to be merged into Pakistan since the independence in 1947. The natives of GB got freedom from Rajas without the logistic support of Pakistan as the history is replete with stories and happy accession due to its closeness in ethnicity, language, and culture.
Gilgit Baltistan (Empowerment & Self Governance) Order-2009, a glimpse of hope, didn’t meet the wishes of locals but another ordinance, (Gilgit-Baltistan Order), passed by PMLN in 2018, led by Shahid Khaqan Abbassi further reduced the power of local assembly which led to the protestation against Islamabad, another step towards the continued negation of the constitutional rights.
Sources claimed that
the proposal to accord GB the status of 5th province is on the way, but it
brings nothing except hopelessness and despondency. The current government is
notorious for its U-turns. To make it smoother and avoid the so-called claim of
India on this region, China wishes to see it as the constitutional part of
Pakistan, and further negligence can become a source of misunderstanding between
Pakistan and China.
The continued denial can affect the cordial relationships between China and Central Asian Republics CARs by providing a platform for India and other regional rivals to boost non-state actors to destabilize Pakistan. Does this propaganda work and is it really a threat to the security of Pakistan? Reasons and factors might astonish you.
The further delay and
denial might trigger the nationalist movements which quickly fall into the
enemy's net of conspiracies. Pro-Indian organizations like TTP and Daaish
(ISIS) can be used to halt the mega projects passed in this region. The recent
bus explosion in Kohistan led to the casualties of 9 Chinese and 4 locals is
enough to say.
Destabilization in the
north path of the country can reduce the number of visitors which ultimately
affects the economy. A recent update by the local government shows that the
number of locals as well as foreigners who visited this year touched 700,000 which is
an enormous number. The tourism industry further needs advanced communication technology and better navigation facilities.
Due to the shortage of sectarian violence incidents, the tourism
industry has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last few years. To redress the
destitute of the locals, it is necessary to accord Gilgit Baltistan the
status of a province. The policymakers should keep in mind the consequences of
further delay.
