GILGIT-BALTISTAN PROTESTS: EXPOSING PAKISTAN’S GOVERNANCE FAILURES

In recent weeks, Gilgit-Baltistan has witnessed a wave of protests that have drawn attention across South Asia. For Kashmiris, these events are not distant political news—they reflect a familiar pattern: a territory administered poorly, its people denied rights and governance that favors narrative over action. The unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan highlights Pakistan’s long-standing failures in governance, economic management and respect for basic human rights, exposing internal dissent that stems from misrule rather than foreign interference.

Gilgit-Baltistan, despite its strategic significance and proximity to borders with China, Afghanistan and India, has remained politically marginalized. While Pakistan projects the territory as an integral part of its Kashmir claim, residents have limited say in their governance. Local institutions exist largely in name, with key decisions and appointments controlled by Islamabad.

This lack of autonomy has left ordinary citizens frustrated. Essential services—healthcare, education, infrastructure—remain underdeveloped, while administrative inefficiencies continue unchecked. Roads are in disrepair, hospitals under-resourced and schools poorly maintained. Such neglect reflects a governance model built on control and symbolism rather than the welfare of the people.

Economic exploitation is a key driver behind the protests. Large-scale projects, including those under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), promise development but have often bypassed local communities. Jobs meant for residents frequently go to outsiders and land acquisition for infrastructure projects has displaced families without adequate compensation.

Residents have voiced their grievances repeatedly, highlighting the contrast between Pakistan’s development rhetoric and the lived reality of exploitation. The natural resources of Gilgit-Baltistan—rivers, minerals and fertile land—are utilized for national and international projects, yet the local population sees little benefit. For Kashmiris, observing these dynamics offers a clear reflection of Pakistan’s administrative approach: a preference for strategic symbolism over tangible welfare.

The protests are also rooted in a struggle for political and constitutional rights. Gilgit-Baltistan’s residents do not have voting rights in Pakistan’s national parliament and their regional assemblies have limited powers. Repeated suppression of public voices—through arrests, crackdowns and censorship—has created a vacuum where dissent becomes inevitable.

When citizens must risk personal safety to demand representation, it underscores a fundamental governance failure. The unrest is therefore a natural outcome of prolonged denial of rights, highlighting that internal dissent in Gilgit-Baltistan is driven by misrule rather than any external influence.

Contrary to narratives often propagated by Pakistan internationally, the protests are entirely homegrown. Students, activists and ordinary citizens have taken to the streets demanding political representation, fair economic treatment and transparency. The slogans, banners and public statements focus consistently on internal issues, challenging the state’s management rather than external actors.

The persistence of these protests, even under the threat of crackdowns, signals the depth of frustration. It illustrates that the unrest is a direct response to governance failures, not orchestrated by foreign interference. This insight is especially significant for Kashmiris, who have long been exposed to Pakistan’s externalized narratives about “defending Kashmir.”

The events in Gilgit-Baltistan carry broader implications for Pakistan’s Kashmir claims. Islamabad portrays itself internationally as the defender of Kashmiri rights, highlighting alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, the systemic neglect and denial of rights in Gilgit-Baltistan exposes a glaring contradiction.

How can a state claim moral authority over Kashmiris elsewhere while systematically ignoring the welfare of those living under its direct administration? The protests demonstrate that unrest in Pakistan-administered territories arises from governance failures, undermining its international credibility.

For Kashmiris observing from across the Line of Control, these developments serve as a lesson. Pakistan’s engagement with Gilgit-Baltistan has prioritized political narratives over people’s welfare. Mismanagement, economic exploitation and denial of rights reveal a pattern that is unlikely to change, despite rhetorical claims.

Yet, there is a message of hope. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan continue to organize and assert their rights despite decades of marginalization. Their struggle underlines a universal truth: genuine change comes from persistent local action demanding justice, representation and accountability.

The protests in Gilgit-Baltistan are more than a local phenomenon—they are a mirror reflecting Pakistan’s systemic failures. They highlight the gap between rhetoric and reality, revealing a governance model that prioritizes control over accountability, symbolism over welfare. Economic exploitation, denial of political rights and administrative neglect have driven citizens into the streets, underscoring that dissent is internally generated and legitimate.

For Kashmiris, the lessons are clear. Pakistan’s claims of championing Kashmiris’ rights are hollow when its own administered territories are denied representation and development. The courage of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who demand fairness and justice despite risks, offers a reminder that governance and accountability are what truly sustain societies—not political narratives or international posturing.

In observing these protests, Kashmiris are reminded of the stark realities behind Pakistan’s rhetoric, the consequences of misrule and the power of internal dissent as a force for change.