Dr Ejaz Karim1
1Yunnan Minzu university, China, China
Biography:
I am Dr. Ejaz Karim from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. I hold a Ph.D. in International Relations from Jilin University, China, and I am currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at Yunnan Minzu University, China. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have been actively advocating for climate change awareness and human rights in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Abstract:
The citizenship status of approximately two million inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is marked by profound ambiguity and dispute. Both Pakistan and India claim GB as an integral part of their territories; however, neither state grants constitutional citizenship to the region’s populace. As part of the internationally recognized Kashmir dispute, GB has been under Pakistan’s administrative control since 1947. This prolonged ambiguity regarding citizenship excludes GB residents from Pakistan’s constitutional framework, exacerbating their statelessness and enabling systemic rights violations.
The implications of this unclear citizenship status are far-reaching, resulting in extensive human rights violations across multiple dimensions of life in GB. The lack of constitutional recognition undermines the legal identity of its residents and restricts their access to basic civil rights and protections. This precarious state of affairs has drawn attention to deficiencies in local governance, particularly in areas of accountability and representation. As a result, GB residents face significant challenges, including restricted access to social services, limited legal recourse, and inadequate political representation, perpetuating a cycle of disenfranchisement.
This study explores the complexities surrounding the citizenship status and associated rights violations in GB using qualitative methodologies, with a focus on first-hand interviews. These interviews involve local lawyers, human rights activists, political leaders, and members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA). By integrating perspectives from these stakeholders, this research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of GB’s unique citizenship challenges and their broader implications for governance and human rights in the region.