By Chathushka Perera
Islamabad, Pakistan (CWBN)_ Subsequent to PM Imran Khan’s announcement that Gilget-Baltistan (GB), formerly known as the Northern Areas, would be recognised as a “provisional” province within Pakistani territory on Sunday (1st November), the government arranged for provincial election to be held on the 15th this month.
The decisions were taken despite India’s protests over the legitimacy of Pakistani control over the region, which was captured during the First Kashmir War of 1947. The strategic position of GB is at the centre of Pakistan, China and India’s regional power play, particularly with regard to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor intended to give China preferential and more convenient access to markets to the west.
The move to grant GB its province status comes after India’s decision to remove the “special-status” attributed to the Jammu-Kashmir region within Indian control, under Indian Constitution, late last year.
Moreover, in a recent development, the Indian Government has put forward several amendments to the land laws for the Jammu-Kashmir region (October 26th), which had originally allowed permanent residents to buy or sell their land.
According a statement from New Delhi, laws such as the Prohibition of Conversion off Land and Alienation of Orchards Act (1975), the Agrarian Reforms Act (1976) and the Right of Prior Purchase Act (1993), respectively prevented the abandoning and creation of orchards in the region, prohibited the sale of lands held by farmers well into 2020, and restricted the transfer or control of property held by the original property owner.
The new laws are expected to provide residents with better access to property markets and enable largely unrestricted land usage. However, laws will be set in place restricting the movement of agricultural produce beyond Jammu-Kashmir and preventing the re-purposing of agricultural land for other purposes.
The government has stated that the new laws would help protect up to 90% of land in the region from being taken over by external actors. The government also expects that the laws would also help boost regional economics, industry and agricultural sectors in the years to come.
The government has faced some push back with regard to the amendments from the Pro-India, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and separatist groups residing particularly in Sirnagar, which is roughly 50km from the Pakistani border and the largest city in Jammu-Kashmir, have come together to protest the new laws and Indian rule.
The protests have led to a complete shutdown of businesses in the region, while Indian forces in riot gear were made to patrol streets in fear of escalations in the current situation.
At the same time, several rights groups and other civil society have expressed their concerns over a possible attempt by the government to alter the regional demographics through the new laws as a “settler-colonial project” similar to that which took place in Tibet, China and the West Bank, Israel.
Adding to the developments in the region, two weeks ago, the New Delhi extended the ban on high-speed internet, stating that it is “absolutely necessary in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India.” However, critiques have likened the move to a “communications blackout”.
In 2009, a 7000mW hydro-electric dam was agreed to be built in Bunji, Astore District in GB, based on an agreement signed between China and Pakistan, noting strong indications of regional investments on both sides, despite the turbulence in the region.
Adding to the fact, allegations have been levied against the Pakistani Government for sponsoring terrorist groups targeting Indian control over the region since 1989, despite peace agreements with India and the contentious Line of Actual Control.
