Opinion | Recognize Pakistan’s Illegal Occupation of PoK & Gilgit Baltistan

The time has come for the world to recalibrate its approach, acknowledge historical wrongs, and stand in support of rightful sovereignty and the principles enshrined in international law.

In a renewed diplomatic push, India has once again raised its voice against Pakistan’s continued and illegal occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir, specifically referring to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The Indian government has called upon the international community to acknowledge this longstanding issue and take a firm stance against what it describes as an egregious violation of sovereignty and international norms. At a time when South Asia’s security landscape is witnessing evolving challenges, India’s call for global recognition of Pakistan’s transgression resonates with growing concerns about territorial integrity, cross-border terrorism, and the sanctity of historical agreements.

The issue of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan has its roots in the complex legacy of the 1947 partition. At the time of independence, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir legally acceded to India through the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh. This accession was accepted by the then-Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten. However, shortly thereafter, Pakistan-backed tribal militias invaded the region, forcibly occupying large parts of it. Despite India’s referral of the matter to the United Nations, and subsequent UN resolutions demanding Pakistan to vacate the occupied areas as a precondition to any plebiscite, Pakistan has remained in control of these territories, flouting the very resolutions it invokes in international forums.

What makes the situation more disturbing is the systematic attempt by Pakistan to alter the demography, culture, and political status of these regions. Gilgit-Baltistan, despite being part of the larger Jammu and Kashmir state, has been subjected to an administrative reorganization that effectively attempts to integrate it into Pakistan, disregarding both historical facts and legal frameworks. Over the years, Pakistan has denied the people of PoK and GB fundamental rights, representation, and development. Reports have repeatedly highlighted the absence of freedom of expression, the suppression of political dissent, and the exploitation of local resources without corresponding benefits to the local population.

India has consistently maintained that the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, is an integral and inseparable part of its territory. The recent statements made by senior Indian officials, including those at the United Nations, underscore this unyielding stance. From New Delhi’s perspective, Pakistan’s administration of PoK and GB is not only illegal but also detrimental to regional stability. India has expressed concern that Pakistan continues to use these territories as launchpads for anti-India activities, including the harboring and training of terrorists who infiltrate into the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir, fueling unrest and violence.

Moreover, the strategic implications of Pakistan’s hold over these regions cannot be overlooked. Gilgit-Baltistan, lying at the confluence of South and Central Asia, is of immense geostrategic importance. It borders China, Afghanistan, and is close to the sensitive Siachen Glacier. India has raised alarm over the growing Chinese presence in the region, particularly under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. India has categorically opposed CPEC, as it passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, which it considers sovereign Indian territory. The infrastructure developments under CPEC, while touted by Pakistan as signs of progress, have deepened the concern in India over foreign involvement in illegally occupied areas.

The people of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan have also begun to voice their dissatisfaction more openly in recent years. Protests have erupted in towns like Muzaffarabad, Skardu, and Hunza, where citizens have decried the lack of governance, unemployment, and systemic exploitation. Calls for rights, autonomy, and even reunification with India have been reported, though such voices are often suppressed by force. These signs of discontent reinforce India’s position that the people in these territories are being denied justice and are suffering under a regime that has no legitimate claim over them.

India’s renewed international campaign aims to shine a spotlight on these realities. The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly urged global organizations and democratic nations to re-examine their stance on the region, to see beyond Pakistan’s rhetoric, and to recognize the illegal occupation for what it is. By doing so, India is not only defending its territorial rights but also lending voice to the aspirations of the people who have remained in a political limbo for over seven decades.

It is important for the international community to consider the broader implications of inaction. Turning a blind eye to the occupation of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan emboldens revisionist powers, undermines international law, and allows for the continued destabilization of a region that is already grappling with multiple challenges. Global silence can no longer be equated with neutrality—it risks becoming complicity.

India’s call for recognition of Pakistan’s illegal occupation is not merely a matter of national interest. It is a demand rooted in legality, morality, and the rights of millions who have been denied their voice. As new geopolitical alignments emerge and the international order continues to evolve, the time has come for the world to recalibrate its approach, acknowledge historical wrongs, and stand in support of rightful sovereignty and the principles enshrined in international law.

In reiterating its commitment to reclaim PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, India is not just asserting territorial claims; it is upholding the dignity of its people, the spirit of its constitution, and the foundational values of democracy and justice. The world must listen, and act—not only in India’s interest, but in the interest of a rules-based global order.

Author’s Email : syedjahanzeeb2@gmail.com