Gilgit-Baltistan
Population: 1,8 m
Area: Area: 72,971 km2 north Pakistan
Capital City: Gilgit
Language: Shina, Balti, Urdu
Religion: Islam
Gilgit-Baltistan initially joined the UNPO in 2008.
Located in the north part of the greater Kashmir region, Gilgit-Baltistan is under the administrative control of Pakistan but is not constitutionally recognized as part of the country. This lack of constitutional status means that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are denied representation in Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate, leaving them without a voice in the central government. This exclusion has fueled significant grievances among the local population, who have long demanded greater political autonomy, control over their natural resources, and the preservation of their unique cultural identity.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are unique due to their incredibly diverse ethnic and cultural composition, which includes communities such as the Balti, Shina, Burusho, Wakhi, and Domaaki, each with its own distinct language, customs, and traditions. The region’s rich cultural heritage is a blend of influences from Tibetan, Central Asian, and South Asian civilizations, shaped by its historical role as a vital crossroads along the ancient Silk Road. This diversity is reflected in the region’s vibrant festivals, traditional music, and crafts that have been preserved over centuries.
The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Gilgit Baltistan. However, the main organization representing the rights of the people of Gilgit Baltistan within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement. You can read more about the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement here.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are deeply connected to their mountainous homeland, which has shaped their unique cultural practices and strong sense of community resilience. The Balti people, for example, are known for their preservation of Tibetan Buddhist traditions despite their conversion to Islam, while the Burusho are renowned for their unique language, Burushaski, which has no known relation to any other language in the world. The region is also known for its rich folklore, traditional sports like polo, and handicrafts such as woolen shawls, carpets, and wood carvings. The Gilgit-Baltistan region is a living testament to the fusion of multiple cultural influences, with each community contributing to a rich mosaic of cultural heritage that is both diverse and uniquely their own.
The history of Gilgit-Baltistan is marked by its strategic importance as a gateway between Central Asia and South Asia, making it a focal point for various empires, including the Tibetan, Chinese, and British empires. For centuries, Gilgit-Baltistan was part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir until the partition of British India in 1947, when the region became a contested area between India and Pakistan. Despite its strategic importance and the rich cultural tapestry of its people, Gilgit-Baltistan has remained in a state of political limbo. The region was placed under Pakistani administration in 1947, but it was not formally incorporated into Pakistan, leaving it without representation in the Pakistani parliament and excluded from the political and constitutional frameworks of both Pakistan and India.
Gilgit-Baltistan remains an area of significant geopolitical tension, caught between the longstanding conflict over Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Its lack of constitutional status within Pakistan means that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan do not have political representation at the national level and are deprived of fundamental rights enjoyed by other citizens of Pakistan. This exclusion has led to widespread grievances, particularly regarding political representation, autonomy, and control over natural resources, including the region’s vast mineral wealth and hydroelectric potential.
The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through Gilgit-Baltistan has further complicated the situation. While the project promises economic development, many in the region feel that they are being marginalized in decision-making processes and are concerned about the environmental and social impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects. Additionally, there are fears that the demographic makeup of Gilgit-Baltistan could be altered due to the influx of non-local workers, further threatening the cultural identity and autonomy of the indigenous populations.
