The importance of gilgit baltistan and why pak has given it a provincial status

gilgit baltistan

It is the India claimed territory as a part of Jammu and Kashmir.
But, it is the northernmost territory administered by Pakistan, providing the country’s only territorial frontier, and thus a land route, with China, where it meets the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.
CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) passes through this region and is vital for both Pakistan and India.

Pakistan is all set to declare Gilgit Baltistan as provincial status thus making it as 5th province of the country.
India has condemned the move of Pakistan.

Gilgit Balistan was part of Kashmir ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. It was leased to British in 1935 by Hari Singh.
Post partition and declaration of independence to India there was a rebellion against Hari Singh. With further ceasefire after India-Pakistan first war in 1947, Gilgit Balistan was cut-off with Indian contact.
From 1947 till 2009, it was ruled by its elites. During this time, Gilgit Balistan was called as the Northern Areas by Pakistan.
But in 2009, Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009 was enacted by Pakistan to give a Legislative Assembly to this region with 24 directly elected members and nine nominated ones.
The elections have been held since then to this Legislative Assembly and the polls to this LA are about to be held in November 2020.
Pakistan intensified its move towards giving Gilgit Balistan a provincial status after India enacted J&K reorganisation Act on August 5, 2019.

Most of the community is different from Kashmir people. Majority of G-B people are Shia (a major sect of Islam) and are angry with the Pakistan government for terrorising Shia people, but predominantly they think that merger with Pakistan will solve the issue.
They have been demanding merger with Pakistan since years, because they don’t enjoy the same rights as a Pakistan citizen.
There is virtually no connection with India.

But this status would be provisional one because according to the ceasefire agreements and UN security council resolutions, a plebiscite is yet to happen in Kashmir. Hence if a plebiscite happens the votes of Gilgit baltistan will be important.

Today Current Affairs Upsc Exam Syllabus & Previous Yearpaper.