Pakistan rules Gilgit-Baltistan with iron grip, treats citizens as second-rate: Report

Pakistan rules the illegally occupied parts of Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan with an iron grip and treats its citizens as if they are second-rate, according to a report in Inside Over.

The entire Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), recently erupted in riots after the Pakistani government decided to further weaken the identity of the people by introducing the 15th amendment to the constitution.

Pakistan's economic downturn has had a profound impact on the population of the region as the costs of essential foodstuffs have increased exponentially. The shortage of grains has hit hard the people of the region who have taken to the streets to ask for essential foodstuffs, according to Inside Over.

Islam Khabar recently reported that the unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan has become a matter of concern for Pakistan as the protestors have been demanding to integrate with India.

All Pakistan provinces except Punjab have some time in the past stated that they wanted to get separated from Pakistan. None have, however, desired to go with India. Gilgit-Baltistan has now demanded to get united with India, the news portal said.

Though India has not responded to the developments officially, it is likely to cite these protests against Pakistan when the Kashmir dispute is discussed in global events, it said.

The Indian government, social activists, and news media regularly highlight the issues in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir including the protests over military oppression, lack of basic rights, high inflation, unemployment, and unsustainable resource exploitation among others, the report said.

 (ANI)