Development

Resource capture in Gilgit-Baltistan is a stark reminder of the region’s continued exploitation and marginalisation. The control of the Sost Dry Port, the leasing of mineral resources to non-local investors, and the disregard for environmental and indigenous laws all point to a systemic pattern of exclusion and exploitation. If this trend continues, Gilgit-Baltistan risks becoming a textbook example of how powerful actors can hijack development initiatives to serve their interests at the expense of local communities and the environment.