GILGIT-Baltistan (GB) continues to face certain protracted issues that should have attracted due official attention owing to the strategic and territorial impor-tance the region has acquired against the backdrop of current geopolitical scenario.

GB is a critical component of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In its rigorous attempt to contain China, the United States has been wooing India for long. That has made CPEC the centre

of attention, or at least a major US-India concern. Attempts of India’s direct and indirect tactical militant operations to torpedo projects like CPEC and Diamer-Bhasha dam are in line with this very geopolitical tug of war. GB, hence, has acquired a preponderating importance and sensitivity.

For some incomprehensible reasons, Pakistan seems to have decided to continue with its careless attitude. The recent region-wide protest demonstra-tions for due basic rights corroborate the assumption. Pakistan would do well to reconsider its strategy.

Any further delay in granting GB its legitimate fundamental rights will stir an already prevailing sense of alienation and frustration among the locals. The state must address all issues related to the status of GB region. Besides, other issues, like land ownership issue as well as power and wheat supplies, to name a few, need to be addressed on a war-footing. The sooner it is done, the better it will be in terms of overcoming the trust deficit between the people and the state.

Zahid Ali Zohri
Gilgit

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2024