Gilgit-Baltistan, a region of great natural beauty nestled in the northernmost reaches of Pakistan, is grappling with a long-standing struggle for fundamental rights and recognition. This picturesque region is home to over two million people whose voices have been stifled for far too long. Advocates for human rights and equality in Gilgit-Baltistan face oppression and anonymity, leading to a growing sense of discontent among the region's youth.
Advocate Johar Ali Khan, along with retired Assistant Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed and other rights advocates, dedicated their lives to advocating for the fundamental rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Tragically, these advocates were forced into exile, highlighting the dire circumstances that rights activists face in the region.
Prominent figures such as Baba Jan and Hyder Shah Rizvi, who fervently championed human rights, endured years of incarceration and confinement. Many, including Nazif Ali, were barred from participating in mainstream politics, as political parties in Islamabad denied them tickets.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan face significant barriers when it comes to securing high-ranking positions within the administration. They are brutally restricted from becoming chief secretaries, home secretaries, finance secretaries, and even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Appellate Court.
The Schedule IV designation, which restricts the activities and movements of individuals, affects 36 activists in Gilgit-Baltistan. Those who hold power or are in control, whether in the Assembly or abroad, remain out of reach for many activists.
Ex-Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid was disqualified overnight, and cases against individuals who sought justice were delayed for years on flimsy grounds. Such actions have eroded faith in the judicial system and undermined political stability in the region.
Democracy in Gilgit-Baltistan faces numerous challenges. A police officer prevented the Speaker of the Assembly from entering the Assembly. Despite holding a clear majority, Raja
Azam Khan was thwarted in his bid to become the Chief Minister through
coercive tactics. Even after securing a substantial lead of thirteen
hundred votes, Mohammad Khurshid Khan was not officially declared the
winner. Additionally, local body elections in Gilgit Baltistan remained
postponed for a period of Seventeen years, preventing the participation
of educated youth in politics.
Unbridled fee increases at educational institutions such as Karakoram University, Baltistan University, and Army Public School have placed education beyond the reach of many, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds.
The slow occupation of the border by the National Logistics Cell NLC), construction by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), and communications by the Special Communications Organization (SCO) have compounded the region's challenges.
Individuals who took provincial ministers hostage have been included in the provincial cabinet, while those who advocate for law and order are labeled as traitors. This double standard undermines the principles of justice and equity.
Arrests of individuals like Nazar Kazmi, Akhund Shujaat, and Tahir Sani, who have dared to raise their voices for justice, are emblematic of the stifling environment for dissent in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The latest efforts to stifle dissent include the sealing of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement office in Skardu. The arrest of the organization's organizer, Shabir Mayar, by the Kharmang Police further illustrates the ongoing challenges that advocates for human rights face.
It is high time for Gilgit-Baltistan to be recognized as a disputed region, where the fundamental rights and freedoms of its two million residents are upheld. The youth of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and the freedom to participate in politics. Failing to address these issues risks stoking hatred against Pakistan and its institutions among the region's youth. A genuine commitment to human rights and equality is essential to secure a brighter future for Gilgit-Baltistan.
