Kashmiri leaders have been strictly against moves to make Gilgit Baltistan a constitutional part of Pakistan
GILGIT: In 1935, Maharaja Hari Singh leased Jammu, Gilgit and Baltistan to the British for Rs75,000. After the Second World War, the subcontinent went through a defining period, with the freedom movement at its peak and the deterioration of British power. Taking advantage of the situation, the population of Gilgit-Baltistan revolted against the rule of the maharaja and finally succeeded in getting their freedom on November 1, 1947. The region had run its own government for 16 days, but on November 16, the newly-born state of Gilgit-Baltistan decided to merge with Pakistan and is still with the country today.
Unfortunately, the region is still not a constitutional part of the country. Moves to make it a constitutional part of Pakistan have been resisted, with Kashmiri leaders strictly against any such development. The concerns they have shown vis-a-vis the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan are akin to a fly in the ointment. They have no right to poke into the policies and decisions regarding Gilgit-Baltistan. So, instead of wasting their time and energy in the matter, they should focus on and work for the betterment of the people in Kashmir.
Intasarul Haq
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2016.
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