Gilgit Baltistan is a region of Pakistan whose geographical, ecological and strategic importance has been acknowledged internationally. With the world’s highest mountain ranges, lush valleys, snow-capped glaciers, and rare water resources, this region can undoubtedly be described as a “treasure trove of nature”. But when this region is mentioned at the federal level, it is often presented only as a tourist paradise. The real social, political, and constitutional deprivations of GB are consciously or unconsciously ignored in the state narrative, government policies, and media interpretation. This attitude is not just a result of ignorance but reflects a deep state preference in which the territory is important, but the people are not.

The territory is important, but the people are not.

Since 1947, Gilgit-Baltistan has not been given full constitutional status. The people of the region are neither represented in the National Assembly of Pakistan nor in the Senate. Not only this, but even the 1973 Constitution does not mention GB. In such a situation, when government ministers sing the praises of the region’s “development” and “beauty”, this question arises with urgency: Does the state see this area as just a piece of land, which can be used for tourist and strategic purposes? Or is it also intended to provide civil rights, political identity, and constitutional protection to the people living here?

The people of Gilgit Baltistan have been raising the question for decades that if we are patriotic citizens of Pakistan, why do we not have a full constitutional identity? Proposals to create a “Provisional province”, news of various committees and reforms, and promises do not go beyond mere temporary political slogans. The state’s priorities can be gauged from the fact that a mega project like CPEC was launched in 2015, but the most important passage of this project, GB, was practically kept out of the decision-making process. The concept of development without inclusion in the development process is just a new name for exploitation.

For the federal government and political parties, GB’s importance increases when the tourist season arrives or when the region’s strategic importance has to be presented in global forums. Governments promote the region on social media as “Pakistan’s Switzerland,” but these claims ring hollow when the local population lacks healthcare facilities, educational institutions are in a dire state, and basic infrastructure is at a rock bottom level. If the state truly values ​​the development of the region, the question is: Is development just about building roads and hotels, or does it also include human well-being?

Viewing Gilgit Baltistan only from a tourism or economic perspective is a flaw in a broader national narrative that gives secondary importance to human rights, regional identity, and local autonomy. The youth here are deprived of employment opportunities, local cultures and languages ​​are on the verge of extinction, and freedom of expression is being curtailed. In such a situation, the state’s statements of development and prosperity seem to be merely a “soft image” preparation, not an intention for real reforms.

Development without inclusion in the development process is just a new name for exploitation.

The strategic status of GB at the international level is also a constant topic of debate. Bordering China, a disputed border area close to India, and a corridor between Afghanistan and Central Asia, GB is undoubtedly Pakistan’s strategic backbone. But the question is, if this region is so important, then why are its people still suffering from constitutional uncertainty, political deprivation, and economic imbalance? The state must decide whether it considers GB to be just a geographical asset or a region that is home to sovereign citizens.

In the context of the Kashmir issue, it has been argued that making GB a constitutional province would undermine Pakistan’s claim to Kashmir. But this argument itself contains a contradiction: is it fair to keep the people of GB in constitutional and political uncertainty for decades while they fight for the independence of the Kashmiris? India has introduced a new narrative on the global stage by making Kashmir its federal unit in 2019. If Pakistan does nothing in response, this narrative will simply become a moral claim.

The beauty of GB is certainly in its mountains, but its real strength is its people.

Promoting GB only as a tourist destination reveals the superficiality of the state narrative and the immaturity of its intentions. If the federal governments want GB to become the “face of Pakistan”, then it is necessary to make the region attractive and empowering not only for tourists but also for the residents. The beauty of GB is certainly in its mountains, but its real strength is its people, and until these people are given full political, constitutional, and social rights, development is just camera-friendly propaganda, not reality.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.