Abstract
On 29 August 2009, the main Pakistani television channels reported in their news programmes that the National Assembly of Islamabad had passed the Gilgit- Baltistan Self-Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, a reform package to promote development and better governance in the territory previously known as the Northern Areas, in the north-eastern part of the country. Coverage of the event was accompanied by images of the region that showed its “beautiful” and “almost untouched nature”. Blossom trees, high mountain peaks and glacial rivers alternated with scenes of children carrying bundles of wood and adults with distinct facial features wearing traditional attire.
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Notes
- 1.
Interview with A., on 25 and 26 March 2010.
- 2.
Although there are several nationalist groups in Gilgit-Baltistan, it is difficult to gauge their social support. I refer here, however, to the fact that the people of the region did not support the (political or armed) Kashmiri nationalist struggle, at least not in substantial numbers, nor did they take up arms against the Pakistani state.
- 3.
See: (29 Sept), “Thousands listen to Gilani’s speech at Lalik Jan Shaheed stadium”, Pamir Times (online), [consulted: 10 October 2011]. In: http://pamirtimes.net/tag/gilani-gilgit-speech/.Also: “Kaira appreciates people of Gilgit-Baltistan”, Hunza Times (online). In: http://www.hunzatimes.com/kaira-appreciates-people-of-gilgit-baltistan.[Last accessed on 10 October 2011]
- 4.
This is similar to what the USA did for the Federal Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan (on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan) in tackling militancy and support for the Taliban, i.e., they provided an ambitious economic development package.
- 5.
These views were expressed during interviews conducted by me in Baltistan in August/September 2009 and March/April 2010. Several interviewees (mostly belonging to the Twelver Shia) associated the AKRSP with the Ismaili faith, which was usually perceived as negative (due to its permissive attitudes and relaxed religious practices), although the majority of NGO beneficiaries in Baltistan, for example, are Twelver Shia. Two educated respondents maintained that NGO activities in Gilgit-Baltistan are guided by other strategic and economic interests relevant to the possible future opening of boundaries in the region.
- 6.
(13/08/2008),“His Highness Agha Khan views about education in Pakistan”. In: Hunza Times, http://www.hunzatimes.com/his-highness-aga-khan-views-about-education-in-pakistan. [Last accessed on 11 November 2011]
- 7.
See: http://www.akdn.org/aktc_shigar.asp [Last accessed on 11 November 2011]
- 8.
For more information, see the UNESCO website:http://www.unescobkk.org/culture/world-her- itage-and-immovable-heritage/asia-pacific-heritage-awards-for-culture-heritage-conservation/ previous-heritage-awards −2000–2010/2006/award-winners/shigar-fort-palace.[Last accessed on 15 January 2011]
- 9.
Interview held with members of the Marafie Foundation, Skardu, 8 September 2009.
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Bouzas, A. (2013). Securitization and Development as Modes of Peripheralization in North-Eastern Pakistan. In: Fischer-Tahir, A., Naumann, M. (eds) Peripheralization. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-531-19018-1_4
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