Gilgit Baltistan, May 10: People in Gilgit Baltistan continue to suffer due to government’s apathy and lack of governance since the region was illegally occupied by Pakistan. Locals feel completely alienated from the ruling class, as successive governments have failed to live up to promises made to the people. The Gilgit-Baltistan area in Pakistan covers an area of 85,793 sq km. It is neither independent nor has a provincial status and the beleaguered people living in the region still lack basic facilities even after decades long illegal occupation. Their woes get multiplied as the elected representatives act as pawns in the hands of the Pakistan government. Hardly any attention is paid to the problems of the locals. Rather, these representatives are busy working for their personal gains. Pakistan earns billions in revenue from Gilgit-Baltistan annually from trade and transit, water resource exploitation, mineral exploration and direct and indirect federal taxes. Yet much of the revenue ends up in coffers in Islamabad. The lack of constitutional rights, autonomy and accountable governance challenges the educational efforts and sustainable growth of Gilgit-Baltistan region.
