The situation in Gilgit-Baltistan is very saddening and simultaneously frightening indeed. We have neglected that area of our country (much like what we did to East Pakistan and Balochistan) and we have failed to curb the forces that our wreaking havoc with the societal fabric over there.
This problem is a mix of much that is wrong with our society: centrist tendencies of the state, sectarian hatred, violence, lack of social development, etc. There are many dimensions to this problem and they have been long in the making. If the incumbents thought that they had done their job by merely declaring Gilgit-Baltistan a province, they must think again. This will be only a decoration on paper if what this provincial status entails is not implemented on the ground.
Many people living in what is considered ‘mainland’ Pakistan or mainstream urban centres mistakenly believe that these forces of hatred only operate in (and originate from) the ‘backwaters’ of the country i.e. the tribal areas and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Whereas actually, these extremist elements not only operate with such impunity in areas where the government’s writ is visibly absent but they are also eroding the writ of the government in a large swathe of the country including in South Punjab, urban Sindh etc.
Gilgit-Baltistan is an area that is instrumental to many of our economic and political concerns. It is our link with China, Afghanistan and Central Asia. It also houses the fountainhead of our lifeline, the Indus. But this is not the reason why we should pay attention to it. It is a part of our unfortunate republic and deserves peace and stability like any other area of the country. The people over there are Pakistanis too and their blood is no less dearer than those living in other areas.
ALI RIZVI
Islamabad