This is the age of modern scientific inventions and creations, where materialism is the hallmark of the era. Ideological commitment is directly challenged by "materialism." Struggle, another name for movement, inherently leads to change—a natural measure of progress in a determined journey. Historically, if we consider the chronicles of great wars, the periods between these wars, often termed as "peace," have played crucial roles in shaping the destinies of nations. During these intervals, nations have navigated through reforms, reorganization, and phases of ascent and decline. National progress is a continuous endeavor; wherever exhaustion takes a collective form, it invites the intervention of conquerors, awakening the slumbering nations.
Economic prosperity and stability do not solely stem from abundant resources; rather, the victors’ foresight and strategic planning determine pathways to prosperity. Europe, once entangled in the quagmire of commodity trade, had been a playground for Asian conquerors. The towering civilizations of Arabia, India, Persia, Egypt, Greece, China, and Iraq, enriched by agricultural revolutions, carried their legacies to Europe through the shoulders of conquerors. The weakened, stagnant Europe of the past was jolted awake by the thunderous hoofbeats of these conquerors' horses.
We must understand that the rise and fall of nations are integral to their journey. However, in these narratives of ascension and decline, the driving force often revolves around economic necessities. Another crucial aspect is the monopolization of European trade routes by Asian traders, which led to the Crusades. This monopolization influenced European serfs and feudal tenants to adopt militaristic mindsets, ultimately evolving into national militarism. The Portuguese navigator Henry reached Africa's coasts, Vasco da Gama arrived in India, and figures like Albuquerque sailed through the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and to the shores of Calicut, Goa, Malacca, and Sumatra. These European powers, with their militaristic tendencies disguised as trade ambitions, disrupted our dormancy and stagnation.
The East India Company symbolized not only India's subjugation but also the barrenness of Asia’s once-flourishing civilizations. The current global conflicts and disputes also trace back to such military forces cloaked in trade. Yet, it is equally true that the spirit of freedom is born from the womb of slavery. The independence movements against British rule, though arduous and testing, brought political awareness and a journey from the dark history of slavery to a place of dignity.
The present global circumstances, though seemingly different, are not fundamentally dissimilar in objectives. Even if democracy reaches its zenith, the core aim remains control over global energy resources. Seizing nations' freedom, lands, and resources without their consent is a blatant violation of global human rights, the UN Charter, and Islamic principles of human rights. How can global democratic powers effectively combat terrorism while trampling these rights? To achieve their goals, they invalidate governance systems, undermine national freedoms, or obtain state consent to exploit resources and advance military agendas.
Today, America’s military might is leading the world towards a form of "peace" where decisions are made on the battlefield rather than through dialogue. America’s trade-centric journey is supported by European allies and Britain, founded on prior experiences. By understanding the psychological dynamics of nations, these powers implement strategies meticulously planned to align with their broader objectives.
The events of 9/11 and their implications cannot be underestimated, particularly in nations that prioritize emotions over awareness. The invasion of Afghanistan, the Middle East’s turmoil, America’s military frenzy in Iraq, the pressure on Iran and Syria, Israel's growing influence, and capitalist schemes to turn impoverished nations into debt-ridden markets—all compel oppressed nations to think critically. Amidst this warlike situation, where the world edges closer to another Great War, discussions of prosperity in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan’s foreign policies—focused on economic potential—seem tenuous and uncertain.
Strategically, the Sost Dry Port holds greater interest for America than even China. This is due to the U.S. military's need for the Khunjerab Pass and Deosai Plains to assert its influence globally under the guise of democracy and access natural resources. The establishment of this port prompts reflection on which country might suffer trade losses, but for Gilgit-Baltistan, the implications of these U.S. and Sino-Pakistani strategies remain to be seen.
Currently, new political alignments are emerging in Gilgit-Baltistan. Activists are being suppressed under draconian laws like the Fourth Schedule and ATA, while favored political proxies are rewarded. This repression, exemplified by recent FIRs and arrests of small traders at Sost Port, highlights the challenges faced by locals.
For the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan, the time has come to unite and join local political parties. Over 77 years, non-local political and religious parties have shown no genuine vision, manifesto, or program for the development and prosperity of Gilgit-Baltistan. Their politics, centered around wheat subsidies, have failed to deliver affordable wheat on time. It is imperative to move beyond subsidies and formulate a national narrative that addresses the billions in annual resource exploitation without accountability.
Under the New World Order’s ongoing transformations, forming national parties is essential to compel Islamabad to formally recognize Gilgit-Baltistan as a key stakeholder in resolving the Kashmir issue. This requires constitutional agreements ensuring an assembly for the region and granting its people control over resources.
Written by: Shabbir Mayar
Edited by: Zaara Kashmiri
