01/11/2025
Gilgit Baltistan(Soni Gleet)
Gilgit Baltistan a land of soaring peaks, deep valleys, and resilient communities holds within it the potential to transform from a region of untapped beauty into a model of progress, unity, and prosperity.
Nestled at the crossroads of Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, and India, this small yet strategically vital region is a treasure trove of natural resources, cultural diversity, and human strength. Its valleys echo with centuries of history from Hunza, Nagar, and Skardu to the influences of Sikh, Dogra, and British administrations creating a living tapestry of languages, traditions, and governance practices.
The region has remained a non-constitutional part of Pakistan since its accession in 1947, without the formal consent of local communities materializing a British-designed conspiracy orchestrated under the command of Major William Brown, a British army officer.
What makes Gilgit Baltistan truly remarkable is not just its breathtaking landscape but its people whose values of kindness, cooperation, and community align with those of the world’s most developed societies. The moral depth, hospitality, and integrity of Gilgit Baltistan’s people mirror the foundations of nations that have risen through education, equality, and unity. This culture of respect, humility, and resilience can become the foundation for a modern, peaceful, and progressive future.
Unfortunately, taking advantage of the humanistic nature of the local population, external powers have manipulated Gilgit Baltistan for decades, sowing division along sectarian lines and using religion as a weapon to weaken the unity of its people. Under General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime, extremist madrassas and radical ideologies were encouraged, turning peaceful villages into arenas of suspicion and hostility. People who once lived together in harmony began to see each other as enemies. Communities fractured, trust eroded, and social cohesion weakened.
But this was never the natural state of the people of Gilgit Baltistan it was imposed from the outside. The valleys still remember coexistence, the mountains remember cooperation, and the rivers remember shared toil.
Healing the wounds of the past the dark sides of history is essential. Forgiveness, unity, and the pursuit of the common good must replace mistrust and hatred with compassion and cooperation. Sectarianism, cultivated by outsiders, must never define the future. The real enemies are not those who differ in belief, but the forces that thrive on division. By focusing on shared goals education, development, women’s empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental protection the people of Gilgit Baltistan can reclaim their strength, their identity, and their destiny.
People must forgive one another and pave new paths toward progress and prosperity.
Now, the opportunity exists to revive that spirit and transform it into a new vision a Gilgit Baltistan that thrives economically, socially, and culturally; a Gilgit that could shine like Singapore.
Imagine a region where education is prioritized for all where every girl and boy has the tools to think critically, innovate, and contribute to society.
Imagine a Gilgit where women are not only empowered but lead with confidence in business, education, and governance. Gender-based discrimination must be curtailed; equality must not remain a dream but become a defining reality. No society can rise when half of its population is left behind.
Imagine infrastructure that connects remote valleys efficiently; clean, sustainable energy harnessed from rivers and glaciers; and climate resilience built into every community.
The region stands among the most climate-vulnerable areas in the world. Melting glaciers, unpredictable rainfall, and natural disasters threaten lives and livelihoods demanding urgent climate action: investment in renewable energy, disaster prevention and preparedness, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture. Protecting nature is not merely survival it is the preservation of identity, heritage, and life itself.
Economic development can flourish without losing cultural roots. Tourism can be developed responsibly, showcasing the majestic Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hindu Kush ranges while creating sustainable livelihoods. Agriculture and irrigation systems can be modernized, using glacial waters efficiently and wisely. Local crafts, arts, and traditions can become global symbols of pride and prosperity, preserving the identity of every valley and community.
Moreover, Gilgit Baltistan can evolve into a hub of innovation and regional trade, leveraging its strategic position along the ancient Silk Route and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Global interest from powers like the United States and China reflects the region’s growing importance. With investment in technology, communication, and renewable energy, Gilgit Baltistan can emerge as a model of balanced, inclusive development one that the world admires and learns from.
Gilgit Baltistan is as beautiful and unique as its people. We can make Gilgit Baltistan one of the most peaceful and progressive regions in the world through our own collective awakening. It requires leadership rooted in inclusivity, foresight, and moral courage. It demands that citizens prioritize the common good over personal or sectarian gain, that they respect one another’s languages, cultures, and beliefs, and that they unite to build a resilient and prosperous society. Otherwise, no power on earth can save us from devastation.
Gilgit Baltistan stands at a defining crossroads between division and unity, between stagnation and progress, between silence and a shared voice of hope. The path forward lies in education over ignorance, equality over oppression, and vision over despair.
The mountains call for unity,
the rivers whisper resilience,
and the valleys await their awakening.
It is time to answer the call of the mountains time to listen to the whispers of the rivers
and time to turn our dreams into reality.
ہمارے دیس کی خُوشبو ہمارے اندر ہے
کسی بھی شہر میں جائیں تو کھو نہیں سکتے
Happy Liberation Day, Gilgit Baltistan.
Reshma Ali
