Reema Shaukat
Gilgit Baltistan undoubtedly is known as the Jewel of Pakistan because of its manifolds importance to our motherland. Gilgit Baltistan region has a total area of 72,496 sq. kms with around 2 million population and lies at 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 attractions 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 suggest 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 November 1, 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, Ministry of Kashmir affairs was established replacing the control of Government of 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 the Gilgit Baltistan 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, the 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 Pakistan’s cabinet which granted self-rule to the people of the former Northern Areas, renamed “Gilgit Baltistan” having 9 districts and formed an elected legislative assembly.
The region of GB holds an utmost importance for Pakistan as it provides route to China’s Xinjiang province via Karakoram Highway, also known as friendship highway and is declared as the eighth wonder of the world. The fearless road builders of China and Pakistan took almost 20 years to complete this 805 miles long highway stretching over hills, gorges, valleys and rivers and one or road’s section goes through the Karakoram Mountains at a height of 15,466 feet. The Karakoram Highway follows a route that in the past was part of the world-renowned silk route. Since its construction, the road has contributed significant economic benefit to both nations particularly as it allows residents to move quickly across the border. The road has led to increased volumes of trade between the two states as goods can get to their destination quickly. The tourism in the region also has a tremendous economic impact as the tourist spend significant amounts of money boosting the local economy. Apart from the economic benefits, the Karakoram Highway gives Pakistan and China great military and strategic benefits particularly in regards to the Kashmir conflict.
Recently, PM Imran Khan visited GB on 1st of November as part of their Independence Day celebration and congratulated the people of GB and admired their sacrifices at every front including the Northern Line Infantry Regiment whose brave soldiers are performing their duties for the defence of motherland. PM said that we must understand that if we hadn’t fought this war, this place might have also been under the rule of Modi. He further said that beauty of GB is unmatched and opening Pakistan to 70 countries by ease for visa on arrival, tourism will increase manifolds. As GB is the gateway to CPEC, the entire area will have unprecedented development and bright future.
One can never ignore Indian propaganda on Kashmir and GB and often their media claims the GB, Kashmir and Balochistan are part of India and they will get these areas free from Pakistan’s control. Not to forget that by utterly pursuing wrong stance and later propagating in best possible way has always remained aura of India to destabilise Pakistan in any case. Neither people of Baluchistan nor Gilgit Baltistan carry such sentiments of getting independent from Pakistan rather India backs separatists groups and pumps them through different tactics time and again to disturb Pakistan’s stability. On the other side, while CPEC is prospering, Indian restlessness on project cannot be ignored. India feels isolated with this Chinese strategic initiative of OBOR which will ultimately connect 3 billion people of China and both South & Central Asia. People of GB support CPEC and are hopeful for great economic outcomes but India often tries to grab people of Gilgit Baltistan through geographical status and says that Pakistan has forcibly occupied Indian territory and people are unaware of their constitutional rights. Indian frustrations over this multibillion dollar project and using Gilgit Baltistan as its tool are quite visible. India is definitely upset as this project is going to give Pak economy a giant leap and Gilgit is considered as soft target because it borders China. Gilgit serves as a gateway to CPEC and becoming China an economic power in region and world is unacceptable for India. Sabotaging CPEC or GB has remained target of India and it will continue to do so in coming days as the situation in Kashmir is fragile. We must enhance importance 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 life of those who are sharing major chunk of their obligations towards Pakistan.
