By Hadia Babar
Gilgit-Baltistan: A beautiful place where majestic scenery coexists with a combination of difficulties.
Gilgit, a region of unparallel natural beauty parenting one of world’s wonder the Karakoram Highway, but beneath this beauty, there is a story of inequality and neglect, where people struggle to meet basic needs despite of the region’s geopolitical importance, foreign investments and beautiful landscapes.
Gilgit-Baltistan is of great significance to both India and Pakistan, and its distinct geopolitical landscape has drawn interest from other nations, most notably China. China’s significant investment in region highlights its strategic importance, especially in infrastructure projects like the Karakoram Highway and other projects under CPEC. But the gap between large investments and the little advantages received by the residents caused anger and resentment.
Public’s Resentment
In Gilgit-Baltistan, general dissatisfaction has been increased by recent events. The public protested in the streets earlier this year in April against load shedding, the elimination of wheat subsidies, rising wheat prices, and the demand for independent status with its own legislative assembly. These demonstrations bring to light years of mishandling, miscommunication, and unresolved complaints, with students from the two sole universities in the region—the University of Baltistan and Karakoram International Universities facing a host of challenges like hike in fee and lack of educational institutions in the region to meet the needs.
Ongoing Struggles and Major Concerns:
As the people of Gilgit-Baltistan take to the streets once again, their demands include a wide variety of issues including opportunities for employment and healthcare as well as changes in the economic structure and education. Land disputes have been a common issue in GB, with claims that military forces and the Pakistani government have illegally taken territory. Public uproar against these alleged injustices has intensified the local public’s feeling of marginalization. How much longer must people fight for their rights before they are recognized and taken seriously is the question that echoes across the valleys.
Religious sectarianism has increased in Gilgit-Baltistan because of a recent spike in religious tension, which have been fueled by sensitive remarks made by Shia clerics and historical events. Even foreign embassies from the US, Canada, and the UK have issued travel warning against visiting the northern areas because of the tense religious situation. The gravity of the problem is highlighted by the global worries, yet it appears that neither the federal government nor the mainstream Pakistani media are giving it enough attention.
As reported by local newspaper, the Awami Action Committee, along with the All-Party Alliance, is going to launch widespread protests across Gilgit-Baltistan starting from December 21. These protests are mostly focused on the increase in wheat prices and a reduction in subsidies, which represents the serious concern of the local community. The collective effort highlights the seriousness and urgency of the challenges that the people must overcome in order attain justice.
On the one hand, the people are protesting for basic rights and against the increase in wheat prices and wheat shortages. Ironically, a significant segment of the misinformed Pakistani public does not know that the government was required to subsidize nearly 50 plus things based on GB’s unique status. This lack of awareness can be attributed to the little media coverage of Gilgit-Baltistan in mainstream Pakistani media. The region’s issues are often overshadowed the general population is unaware of them. The issue continues to get worse by the government’s lack of concern for Gilgit-Baltistan’s worries. Consequently, wheat scarcity has grown to be a major problem, worsening the many difficulties the area faces.
The beautiful landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan contrasts strongly with the difficulties its citizens experience. The conflict between foreign investments, geopolitical importance, and the difficulties of the local people emphasizes the need for inclusive and comprehensive government. The world watches on as the public protests for their rights, hoping that the voices echoing across the mountains will be heard by those in positions of authority and that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will live in harmony with their breathtaking surroundings in the future
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