Opinion | Resource Utilisation in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Concerns of Its People

Gilgit-Baltistan and its people are increasingly facing a growing sense of frustration and uncertainty. The patience of the people is running out, and their tolerance is reaching its limit. They feel that their opinions are being suppressed, their grievances ignored, and their fundamental rights overlooked. Today, the situation seems to be approaching a tipping point. Many think they have no other option but to speak out for their dignity, their rights, and their future. This apprehension is not only because of the current state of affairs. It has been building up due to years of indifference, political disenfranchisement, and a sense that the exploitation of their natural resources does not include them.

The Gilgit-Baltistan area is commonly described as a rich land. This is because this place has plenty of resources in the form of hydropower, which is said to be about 30,000 to 50,000 megawatts. In addition, there are various deposits of precious minerals like gold and copper in the region. The source of the Indus River is highly valued not only locally but outside this area as well.

The importance of the region has increased significantly in recent years due to its role in the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). Roads have been expanded, major projects such as the development of the Karakorum Highway have been started, and dams like Diamer-Bhasha and Bunji have been planned for construction. On paper, this looks like progress. On the ground, however, the picture is more complicated. For many locals, Gilgit-Baltistan feels less like a beneficiary and more like a passageway, a route through which development flows, but does not fully stay.

At the same time, everyday life has been getting more difficult. Data from 2025 to March 2026 indicates a steady and worrying rise in living costs. One of the biggest triggers has been fuel prices. By March 2026, fuel had gone up by Rs 55 per litre, and that increase didn’t stay limited to petrol pumps. It quickly spread across the economy, transport became more expensive, and with that, the prices of essential goods followed.

This ripple effect is clearly visible in construction materials like cement. While the base production cost remains close to an index of 100, the final price climbs to over 300. The jump isn’t because cement suddenly became harder to produce, it’s largely due to freight costs and, as many point out, black market practices. In other words, the system around the product is driving the price more than the product itself.

Transport tells a similar story. Fuel prices rose by around 110 per cent, moving from an index of 100 in 2025 to about 210 in 2026. Freight costs followed almost the same path, while local transport costs climbed even higher—from 138 to nearly 290. For ordinary people, this doesn’t show up as percentages—it shows up as higher fares, costlier groceries, and tighter household budgets.

A broader look at price trends only reinforces the concern. Cement prices have stayed almost unchanged, moving slightly from 331 to 330, but steel has become significantly more expensive, rising from 233 to 386. Wheat prices have seen a small dip, but that relief is overshadowed by sharp increases elsewhere. Fuel, for instance, has jumped from 200 to around 500, while freight transport has surged from 300 to nearly 750. Local transport has risen from 440 to around 920. These are not small shifts, they reflect a deeper imbalance, where energy and transport costs are rising much faster than everything else.

In addition, there is another concept that is referred to as a “triple burden” being talked about by many people who live there. First of all, they are frustrated because of the tax hikes that have not been accompanied by local participation; secondly, they talk about the reduction of subsidies worth $8.2 billion. Black marketing has become an important problem.

Alongside economic stress, there is also a strong perception that resource use is happening without adequate local participation. Mining activities, often involving outside players, are seen as moving forward without proper consultation. Revenues generated from these resources, as well as from tourism and trade, are not always felt at the local level. This has added to a sense of disconnect, people see resources leaving, but benefits not returning in equal measure.

Environmental issues also come into play as yet another aspect of the complexity of the matter at hand. The ecology of Gilgit-Baltistan is delicate, and the effects of extensive development, mining operations, and increased transportation are slowly starting to make their presence felt. Issues such as glacial melting, pollution, and ecological degradation are a very real threat to these local communities.

There are also social questions that cannot be ignored. Land acquisition for big projects has led to disputes and uncertainty, while the arrival of outside workers has raised concerns about demographic changes and cultural shifts. For many, this is not just about economics, it is about identity and belonging.

All these concerns stem from one single issue; the issue of representation. Despite its constitutional standing, Gilgit-Baltistan does not have its own constitution. Many people residing in this area believe that they do not have any control over what is happening in their region.

Unsurprisingly, voices from the region are becoming louder. What was once accepted quietly is now being questioned. People are asking for fair access to their resources, better accountability, and a more meaningful role in shaping their future.

However, the issue with Gilgit-Baltistan is more than just a matter of data and developmental initiatives. Statistics have been revealing, but they do not provide the complete picture. Each price hike and each development initiative involves a person who is struggling with day-to-day existence. As one might say, numbers cannot feed a hungry belly.

For any development to truly succeed, it must include the people it is meant to serve. Without that, even the richest regions can feel left behind.

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