The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region celebrated its 70th Independence Day on November 1st 2017
KARACHI: The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region celebrated its 70th Independence Day on November 1st 2017, yet the region and its people still await a constitutional status that would make them stand equal to the citizens of Pakistan. Successive governments have not resolved and extended constitutional powers to the dejected region. Further, talks to grant the territory the status of a province have been ongoing for a long time with no success. Having a political history of its own, the area is still to be acceded to Pakistan. Although the case of G-B is often compared to that of Kashmir’s, it is way easier for the government to grant provincial status to the area as, unlike Kashmir, it is not a disputed territory.
The locals of G-B have, despite years of uncertainty, over their status remained loyal to Pakistan and are still more than welcoming of any move that grants them the aforementioned status. Hence, it is about time that the federal government took necessary steps and not gave in to the external pressures before losing it out to disgruntlement and the voice of dissent. Also, as a part of CPEC runs through the region, coming forward with substantial steps on the status of the region is the due responsibility of the ruling party.
Laiba Usman
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2017.
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