EVER since Pakistan became independent in 1947, the Gilgit-Baltistan region has been treated as a disputed territory. In fact, Pakistan does not even acknowledge GB as a part of the country.

The members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly do not even have the right to decide the timber and tourism policies of their area. These are decided 288 kilometres away in the Prime Minister’s office in the federal capital.

Furthermore, new taxes have been imposed upon the region. Why is Islamabad imposing taxes if it does not acknowledge it as its territory?

It is unacceptable that GB is being governed without giving the people full representation in Pakistan’s senate and the National Assembly. Despite the fact that GB is the gateway to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the federal government has not drawn up many projects for GB to benefit from CPEC.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan earnestly desire that Pakistan should acknowledge their region as Pakistani territory. The government should recognise GB as the fifth province of Pakistan.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan love Pakistan dearly. They have sacrificed their lives for this country. It is time their contribution to Pakistan is acknowledged.

Mehboob Ullah

Chilas, Gilgit

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2017