Province status upgrade

Prime Minister Imran Khan this week promised ‘upgrading’ another federally administered territory to democratically-elected provincial status and with it, the provision of his party’s championed universal health insurance plan. Clearly, many amongst the newly-elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly looked eager for the change that has been promised in the northern territory. Sitting in the hall, watching most of the newly-elected treasury benchers take oath in the new cabinet of the Gilgit-Baltistan, Imran looked triumphant.

One way or the other, the PM has managed to beat back the opposition in another election. He prevails, again. But he also laid out the path that now lies before them – of proving the difference between them and the opposition. The biggest one, of course, is of granting the disputed territory full provincial status. The PM appears convinced that this move will pay off, politically. Some bets, though, take longer than two and a half years to pay dividends. What is clear, however, is that some very big boats are being rocked. Now let us see how far the ripples go.

The other big announcement made by the PM on the occasion was the expansion of the PTI’s flagship universal healthcare plan. Unveiled amid much fanfare, the plan offers hope of free healthcare service delivery to a people whose majority cannot afford the cost of medical treatment even in mediocre private hospitals in the country. But many in G-B, like in some other erstwhile federally administered territories, will be wondering if this is not just another false dawn like the promises of universal communications connectivity. The soaring peaks of this tourist heaven can often distract from the true prize hidden within this region. The rope has been fed out, now let’s see how it is used.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2020.

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