GILGIT-BALISTAN ELECTION HELD ON CHINA’S BEHEST
Election in the 5th provincial region (GB) of Pakistan were held on 15 Nov 20. On that day, elections were conducted in 24 constituencies of Gilgit-Balistan Region with almost 330 candidates contesting for these election. The Pakistan Army had presided over the polling at all the Election booths. The Pakistan Tehreeh-e-Insaf Party took lead in the polls and had come as most popular party in these election. However, these election were conducted at the behest of China, post abrogation of Article 370. China ensured that these election negate the opposition from locals against CPEC highway. Although, Pakistan does not have territorial contiguity with China, it is only through this region of the POK, especially the strategically important places of Shakshyam Valley, that Pakistan enjoys continuous connectivity to China via Xingiang province. In 1963, Pakistan handed over a major chunk of land adjoining the Karakoram Pass as it was difficult for them to maintain it militarily and sustain the region under their command and control. Pakistan has made deliberate effort in abrogating previously enjoyed privileges by people of Gilgit-Balistan region including making home land of Shias muslims into Sunni majority and changing the demographic pattern of this place by deliberately settling Sunni community from the plains of Pakistan Punjab and Sindh province.
There has been a lot of opposition by the local populace of GB due to construction of Mega projects by Pakistani Govt since people have not been given any compensation for the land which gets inundated due to Construction of Diamer Basha Dam. The land used for CPEC highway was also forcefully grabbed by the Pak Govt. The women folk suffer from various types of crime and lost the right to education due to deliberate radicalisation moves by the Govt of Pakistan. The locals do not have the basic right of access to judiciary or the Supreme Court. Under the garb of various provisions of special laws, Pak Govt have curtailed the basic rights of the people of GB in past several decades. On the contrary post the abrogation of Article 370 and creation of Union territory of J&K, the state is undergoing District Development Council election (DDC) which will empower the civil body at the Grass root level. The polling turnout has been overwhelming despite the opposition from Gupkar alliance. Abrogation of Article 370 has opened the avenues for implementation of numerous Central Govt Schemes which will promote the overall development and functioning of the Civ Adm. All development and growth measures for the state have been taken in a planned and phased manner. The UT of J&K will soon be seen as well developed and flourishing state. On the other hand, rights of people living in Galgit-Balistan will be further suppressed and China will be able to achieve its aim of making CPEC free from any type of trouble.
