IN the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan lies a treasure that could transform Pakistan’s technological and economic future. Beneath its glaciers and granite are traces of rare earth elements. At a time when nations are racing to secure supplies of lithium, cobalt and rare earths, the northern frontier could emerge as a regional hub for high-value mineral processing. With its road link to China, developing internal network, new international airport, hydropower generation potential and a growing pool of educated, enterprising youth, GB is well-positioned for investment.

Processing rare earth elements, however, is capital intensive. Challenges ranging from technology to environmental management can only be overcome via extensive investment, expertise and regulation. But opaque governance hinders the attempt and GB continues to exist under a colonial-style legal order that denies investors protection and local communities their rights — made worse due to the region’s unsettled status.

GB does not enjoy constitutional status in Pak­istan and is governed through executive orders that can be changed through bureaucratic rules of business. The current law, the Gilgit-Baltistan Governance Order 2018, was notified and proclaimed as a step towards empowerment, but in reality, as noted by the Supreme Court, it was designed to roll back the limited powers that were granted through 2009 Order to enhance federal control.

The 2018 Order concentrates........

© Dawn