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Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Calls for International Attention on Kashmir, Resource Management, and Energy Infrastructure
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar addressed the Karachi Press Club during a Meet the Press event, emphasizing the need for greater international focus on the region's constitutional status, natural resources, and economic challenges. He expressed concerns about the proposal to grant Gilgit-Baltistan provisional provincial status, stressing that the region's constitutional and political issues must be resolved before any such move. Azar criticized India's 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status, arguing that the international community has failed to take meaningful action against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also highlighted the mismanagement of Gilgit-Baltistan's mineral resources, alleging that gold worth Rs15 billion is being extracted daily from the region. Azar called for restrictions on transporting raw minerals outside the region to prevent resource depletion. Additionally, he pointed out that high electricity costs, at Rs60 per unit, hinder industrial development, and criticized the absence of a Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) office in Gilgit-Baltistan, despite its presence in Lahore. The chief minister advocated for better energy infrastructure and administrative arrangements to leverage the region's hydropower potential. He also noted Gilgit-Baltistan's tourism potential, claiming it surpasses that of Switzerland, but stressed the need for improved air connectivity and digital infrastructure to attract more visitors. Azar acknowledged that the provincial government cannot address all challenges alone and urged the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities toward Gilgit-Baltistan. The chief minister's remarks underscore the region's ongoing struggles with resource management, energy infrastructure, and political recognition, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts between federal and regional authorities to address these issues.
