In India, the order is seen an attempt by Pakistan to annex this strategically important region, which borders with China
India on Sunday summoned the Pakistan deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah to protest against Islamabad's order on holding more powers in Gilgit-Baltistan region, part of Jammu and Kashmir. In India, the order is seen an attempt by Pakistan to annex this strategically important region, which borders with China. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (C-PEC) connecting mainland China with Gwadar port in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan passes through this region.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018, formally promulgated last week while providing devolution of greater administrative authority, has entrusted the Prime Minister of Pakistan with indisputable authorities. The order also seizes the power of the Gilgit Baltistan Council and shifts it to to Gilgit Baltistan Assembly, entrusting it with capability to make legislation regarding mineral, hydro power and tourism sectors.
The decision has drawn ire in the region and India as well. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India had clearly conveyed to Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit-Baltistan areas, is an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947.
"Any action to alter the status of any part of the territory under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan has no legal basis whatsoever, and is completely unacceptable. Instead of seeking to alter the status of the occupied territories, Pakistan should immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation," the statement said.
The ministry further said the action could not "hide the illegal occupation of the part of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to the people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for the past seven decades."
The location of Gilgit bordering China was important for the defence of the British Empire; therefore, Gilgit was made an agency in 1889 under Colonel Algernon Durand. In 1935, British leased Gilgit subdivision from Kashmir. In 1947, the Britishers handed over the entire Gilgit agency to the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, thus making it part of the state. Pakistan neither allowed it to be part of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) nor annexed it, keeping its status undefined.
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