WITH winter setting in, people in Gilgit-Baltistan are getting ready to suffer another season of despair, with power outages and soaring prices of essential commodities.

This is not an isolated grievance of the local people who are sick and tired of the discrimination they have to face at every step of their lives.

The mainstream national media often highlights the grievances of various regions, which is absolutely justified, but the concerns of GB people generally go unnoticed. Why?

The region’s issues almost always languish in the shadows of some broader national discourse as the media landscape has become increasingly polarised and selective.

The narrative seems to prioritise other regions’ grievances, while the struggles and aspirations of GB citizens remain on the periphery, awaiting the spotlight that they so rightly deserve.

All we ask for is a fair share of the national conversation, a chance to make our voices heard, and our issues acknowledged. This is not too much to ask for; it is actually the very least Pakistan can do for the people of GB.

Rakhshanda Abbas
Gilgit

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2023