LAHORE: Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Mehdi Shah has demanded the creation of a separate province, warning that continued neglect could lead to a protest movement similar to that in Azad Kashmir.
Speaking at Jati Umra, Lahore, Shah expressed frustration over the exploitation of the region’s resources, which benefit other parts of Pakistan while the local population remains deprived.
He criticized the central government, despite the coalition between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), for failing to deliver on promises made to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Shah pointed out that promises, such as generating 200 MW of electricity for the region, remain unfulfilled. “Ahsan Iqbal said producing 200 MW of electricity is easy, but nothing has been done,” he stated.
Shah emphasized the need for Gilgit-Baltistan to have its own province to ensure fair distribution of resources. “Every province demands its share, and if we had our own province, we would get our rightful share,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the region’s natural resources, particularly water used for electricity generation, which originates from Gilgit-Baltistan but benefits other parts of Pakistan.
Addressing the Kashmir issue, Shah criticized Pakistan’s inaction over India’s annexation of parts of Kashmir. “If Prime Minister Imran Khan and his supporters had taken control of our area, maybe we would have been free from this issue,” he remarked.
Although frustrated, Shah expressed hope that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would honor his promise of 100 MW of electricity. “We joined Pakistan with the hope of being self-governed. I hope the Prime Minister delivers,” he said.
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