Daily Times

The dark days of Gilgil-Baltistan’s obscurity are numbered. Most probably on this government’s watch. Calling for historic administrative reforms, GB Assembly’s resolution seeking a provincial status has entered the pantheon of landmark change-makers. A change that people of the doomed region had been counting on for decades.

It is simply unfortunate that the blood spilt in their independence battles against the forces of Kashmiri Maharaja went in vain. Despite accepting the ceded territories into its fold, Pakistan had fallen short of fully incorporating GB. Despite being free, there was no end to the sufferings. The crimson struggle continued with the locals being second-class citizens; doubly trapped under the wrath of the colonial Frontier Crimes Regulations and the exploitative practices of despotic rajgiri.

Last November, Islamabad finally broke the ice on this longstanding conundrum of Gilgit-Baltistan and promised integration with the rest of the country. Part of the fifth province, the people of GB would, finally, be regarded as an integral component of the country. Their annual celebration of independence would, henceforth, mean they had, at long last, achieved what the Gilgit Scouts had aspired for in their brutal running battles.

It remains to be seen whether PM Khan is courageous enough to honour his daring word. For decades, Pakistan has reserved GB’s status in hopes of getting more votes when and if the UN plebiscite is carried out to resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute. Bringing the miserable valley into the ambit of Pakistan’s constitution would, most probably, draw criticism from quarters dedicated to the Kashmir cause. This is not to make light of the bloodshed of millions of Kashmiris as they brave–with greater determination every day–Indian aggression. Yet, the movement for Kashmir’s right to self-determination can still be fought while paying heed to the relief of those already a part of the green-white flag. Since GB has only demanded an interim provincial status, Islamabad would not be violating any UN resolution nor allowing the formation of a permanent LOC. No matter how loud, such logic-defying conspiracy theories could not get any wild.

The constitutional limbo gets more convoluted in the face of Indian claims on the valley. Though denied in the UN, New Delhi is still adamant about seeing the whole of Kashmir valley, all the way to GB, as a part of its much-touted “akhand bharat” agenda. Hawkish elements across the border are even painting this administrative milestone with the same hues as Narendra Modi’s distasteful revocation of Article 370. What a comparison of apples and oranges!

Pakistan may have woken up to the constitutional crisis lurking right under its nose, it would be wise enough to not cover it with a dreaded salve of an executive order. Already, local people have started protesting as they fear outsiders taking control of their resources. Mainstreaming GB would only be successful if special care is taken regarding the rights to lands and resources. Representation in constitutional entities would, truly, be a leap forward as the local leaders would, for the first time, have a deciding voice in the extension of fundamental rights to their voters. This empowerment becomes all the more relevant when looking at the region as a starting point of the ambitious CPEC. Still, there is no denying that such crucial changes won’t come easy. All of Pakistan would have to stand united with their brothers and sisters in GB in the fight for their rights. *