GILGIT-Baltistan’s unclear political status remains the primary obstacle to its progress and development. Historically, the region has viewed itself as an integral part of Pakistan with its people independently liberating themselves from Dogra rule at the time of Partition. Despite having other choices, they unconditionally opted to join Pakistan, inviting government representatives to take control. This voluntary accession should have settled the region’s status as part of Pakistan. However, following an agreement between the leaders in Azad Kashmir, GB was redefined as a disputed territory under Pakistan’s administrative control. Pakistan chose to pursue a plebiscite in the disputed territory of Kashmir and GB. Ironically, this fundamental shift emerged without any consultation with the local population or leadership, consequently placing GB in a state of political limbo. To this day, Pakistan continues to administer the region under revenue regulations introduced by the Dogras.

Successive governments have treated the sensitive issue of land ownership rights cavalierly, extending little effort towards improving the Dogra system which pivots on discriminatory laws and traditions trespassing upon the rights of the weak. Most of the common land was defined as khalsa sarkar, virtually depriving the locals of any collective or individual claim on their own land. In 2017, when a small area of land was allotted to a development project, no compensation was extended to the affected people, leading to a dangerous law-and-order situation.

It was then that the government realised that ownership and usage of land could not be resolved through the existing system. Hence, the PML-N government formed a land reform commission, but no definite reforms........

© Dawn