Gilgit-Baltistan region has strategic importance
Er. Prabhat Kishore
In October 1947, the tribes backed by Pakistan army as well as a particular section of Maharaja’s own army had captured a large portion of territory of Jammu & Kashmir. On the other hand, Major William Brown, the Commander of Maharaja Hari Singh in Gilgit-Baltistan mutinied on 1st November 1947, overthrew Governor Ghanasar Singh and handed over the whole area to Pakistan. These areas are together termed as Pak-Occupied Kashmir (POK). Gilgit is situated in a valley formed by the confluence of the Indus valley, Hunza River and Gilgit River.
Total area of POK is approx. 79,000 sq. KM, out of which portion of Jammu section is 9,000 sq. KM, portion of Kashmir section is 6,000 sq. KM. The rest 64000 sq. KM is that of Gilgit-Baltistan, which originally a part of Ladakh is. Of the three occupied sectors, the Ladakh portion (i.e. Gilgit-Baltistan) is most important for strategic point of view for Bharat as well as Pakistan.
Gilgit-Baltistan falls in Hindukush region. All attacks on Bharat Bhumi by Greeks, Shakas, Huns, Kushans, Mugals and others were from this area. Presently, this area borders four countries namely- Afganistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Tibet (illegally captured by China) and Bharat bhumi main land. Once America, Britain and Russia, wanted their Base in Gilgit and presently China has similar desire. So, for our country’s security point of view, it has always been an important strategic region.
In ancient days, when Bharatvarsha was called “Sone Ki Chidiya” (Golden Bird) due to its economic power, its trades from all countries were done through this Silk route. Presently, ambitious Iran – Bharat Gas Pipeline project, which is to pass through Pakistan, is in suspicious state. If Gilgit would have been with us, the pipeline would have comfortably come through it via Tajikistan.
Eight out of ten major peaks of Himalaya are in the Gilgit-Baltistan portion of Laddakh. Three of the world’s longest glaciers outside the polar regions, namely Biafo Glacier, Baltoro Glacier and Batura Glacier, are found in this region. In addition, there are several high-altitudes lakes. These are the great resources of water. This area has rich deposits of gold, gemstones and minerals like mica, quartz, topaz, aquamarine etc.
Pakistan is facing unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, where residents have been protesting for years against land acquisition, power shortages, and decades of political exclusion.
The Pakistan Government is treating this area as a colony, rather than an equal part of the federation. Unlike Pakistan’s four provinces, GB is not covered by the constitution and has no representation in the National Assembly or the Senate.
The region is administered from Islamabad through adhoc governance orders, with key powers vested in the hands of Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and senior officers deputed from outside. GB’s residents cannot approach Supreme Court of Pakistan as other citizens can. The constitutional vacuum allows federal and military authorities to exercise complete control over land, minerals, and administration.
The Area of Gilgit is crucial to Pakistan’s external as well as internal affairs. It forms the northern gateway to 3,000 KM long China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking China’s Xinjiang region to the Pakistan’s Karakoram Highway.
People have objections to projects such as CPEC passing through the area. India has repeatedly objected Pakistan’s activities in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Chinese based projects, as violations of its sovereignty.
During BangalaDesh Mukti Abhiyan, when more than 90,000 Pak military surrendered before Indian Army, Bharat had a golden chance to bargain with Pakistan to take back the illegally occupied territories from Pakistan.
But unfortunately, the Indian leaders at that time were cheering for liberation of East Bengal (now Bangla Desh) and did nothing for the liberation of its own territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and some occupied parts of Jammu as well as Kashmir.
(The author is a technocrat and an educationist. He is based in Patna Bihar)
