Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), pledged to grant sweeping political and economic rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan [1].
These promises aim to integrate the region more fully into Pakistan's legal framework by granting residents the same constitutional powers as other provinces. The move addresses long-standing demands for autonomy and legal recognition in the strategically important territory.
In a special message, Zardari said the PPP will make the people of Gilgit-Baltistan "owners of their fate" [1]. He focused on the necessity of providing constitutional protections to ensure the region is no longer marginalized from the national political process [1].
Central to this proposal is the extension of the 18th [1] Constitutional Amendment to Gilgit-Baltistan. Zardari said this extension would give the region the same powers as other provinces [2]. The amendment is a cornerstone of provincial autonomy in Pakistan, shifting power from the federal government to the provinces.
Beyond constitutional shifts, Zardari promised specific economic and legal safeguards for the local population. He vowed to guarantee land and job rights for the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan [2]. These protections are intended to prevent the displacement of locals, and ensure that employment opportunities within the region remain accessible to its own people [2].
Zardari said the party intends to ensure that the residents of the region possess the authority to determine their own future. By linking political rights with economic security, the PPP seeks to create a comprehensive framework for the administration of the area [1].
“We will make the people of Gilgit‑Baltistan owners of their fate.”
The proposal to extend the 18th Amendment represents a significant shift toward formalizing the political status of Gilgit-Baltistan. By promising provincial-level powers and land protections, the PPP is attempting to resolve a historical legal ambiguity regarding the region's relationship with the Pakistani state, potentially easing local unrest through constitutional integration.
