Beyond the Borders: Exploring Gilgit-Baltistan's Political Status and Constitutional Future

Abstract

Gilgit Baltistan (GB) has geo-strategic, geo-economics, and geopolitical importance because it is the home of mighty mountains, glaciers, rivers, plateaus, deserts, lakes, picturesque valleys, natural resources, and significant locations that connect Pakistan with China, Afghanistan, and India. Due to its roots in the Kashmir dispute, Gilgit Baltistan has faced constitutional and political problems for the last seven decades. Numerous governments introduced reforms in GB, but these were not implemented correctly and did not give full-fledged powers to locals. The federal-based government administered this region. GB has no representation in the National Assembly, Senate, and other financial and constitutional institutions. The study explores GB's constitutional and political problems from a historical perspective, using government documents, court decisions, and the various opinions of the Youth and finds out the Primary constraints to delaying GB's constitutional status, the local aspirations, particularly from the youth, and concerns in GilgitBaltistan regarding constitutional legitimacy and Political Autonomy. It also investigates the role of mainstream parties in GB's political development.