Pakistan’s deepening internal crisis took another serious turn as widespread protests erupted across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), a region illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947. The immediate spark for the latest wave of demonstrations was the combination of land and mineral grabs sanctioned by the Pakistani state and army, and the worsening living conditions due to prolonged, frequent power outages.
On April 27, hundreds of residents from the Shigar district poured onto the streets to register their anger against the Pakistan government and the military establishment. Carrying banners and raising slogans, the demonstrators vehemently opposed the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill, which they allege aims to legalise the systematic exploitation of the region’s natural resources without the consent of its indigenous population.
Organised by the K2 Action Committee, the protest drew people from several surrounding villages, including Dassu, Baraldo, Hyderabad, Tisar, Basho, and others. The protestors gathered at Hussaini Chowk in the district headquarters of Shigar, forming a massive rally. Their slogans, such as “Kabze par kabza namanzoor” (“We reject repeated occupations”), captured the deep-rooted resentment among the people against decades of resource exploitation and political marginalisation.
The core of the protest: “No policy without public consent”
The rally revolved around a clear and resolute message, that no decision regarding mining or resource extraction would be acceptable without public participation and consent. Speakers at the demonstration warned Islamabad and the Pakistan Army that unilateral actions would be fiercely resisted. They emphasised that the land, rivers, mountains, and minerals of Gilgit-Baltistan belong to its people, not to an occupying authority seeking to enrich itself at their expense.
One protester summed up the collective sentiment, stating, “The mountains, rivers, and minerals are ours. We are the custodians of this land, and we will not allow exploitation without our consent.”
The protest gained significant momentum when Agha Syed Ali Rizvi, a prominent Shia cleric and President of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, addressed the gathering. Speaking passionately, Rizvi directly attacked Pakistan’s policies in the region.
He declared: “All geological resources, forests, and mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan are the collective property of its people.”
Warning Pakistan against any attempt to exploit the region’s mineral wealth without local consent, Rizvi said: “If Pakistan wants to pay off its debt, if it wants to become rich, if it needs minerals, then seek permission from every child of Shigar. We will offer charity to Pakistan if needed.”
In a chilling warning to the authorities, he further added: “If you come forcibly to occupy our lands, we swear by God, we will dig your graves on these very mountains.”
The forceful speeches and the passion evident among the crowd reflect a rapidly growing political consciousness and willingness to resist Islamabad’s extractive policies in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Why Gilgit-Baltistan Matters?
The unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan carries far-reaching implications, not only for Pakistan but also for India and the broader region. Gilgit-Baltistan holds enormous strategic significance. A major portion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), passes through this region.
India has strongly objected to CPEC, stating that it passes through territory that belongs to India but is illegally occupied by Pakistan. India’s objections stem not only from legal claims but also from security concerns, as the development of infrastructure in PoGB has led to increased Chinese investment, presence, and even military collaboration in sensitive areas close to the Line of Control (LoC) and the India-China border.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s geographical position further enhances its strategic importance. It shares borders with China’s Xinjiang province, Afghanistan’s narrow Wakhan Corridor, and India’s union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram Highway, linking Pakistan to China, passes directly through Gilgit-Baltistan, making it a critical artery for trade and military logistics.
Thus, control over Gilgit-Baltistan is not merely about land, it is about dominance over a vital geopolitical junction. This, coupled with Pakistan’s desire to exploit the region’s rich mineral deposits without local input, has fueled both internal dissent and international concern.
Worsening Living Conditions: Power outages and economic hardship
While the larger geopolitical stakes loom large, the immediate grievances of the people are tied to daily survival. The residents of Gilgit-Baltistan are grappling with severe hardships, including frequent power outages lasting up to 20 hours in some areas. These blackouts, occurring even during critical periods such as winter months, have devastated local businesses, agriculture, and households.
In a region already marginalised economically, the frustration is boiling over. The constant land-grabbing practices, coupled with worsening infrastructure and services, have created a volatile environment where even previously small grievances now fuel mass mobilisations.
The growing unrest is also beginning to affect Pakistan’s ambitions with China. Local resistance along CPEC routes, particularly protests and blockades, is disrupting trade and raising concerns in Beijing about the long-term viability of its investments in Pakistan-occupied territories.
An unfolding crisis with regional ramifications
The protests in Gilgit-Baltistan are not isolated expressions of anger, they represent the culmination of decades of political suppression, economic exploitation, and social neglect. As Islamabad faces deepening crises within its borders, the anger in Gilgit-Baltistan is yet another indication that Pakistan’s domestic instability is spinning out of control.
By seeking to tighten its grip over natural resources without consulting the indigenous population, Pakistan risks triggering even more intense resistance movements. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan, long treated as second-class citizens, are now openly challenging the state narrative and demanding autonomy over their land and future.
