General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has once again promised a bonanza from Gilgit-Baltistan’s (PoGB) buried treasures, claiming $6 trillion in minerals could rescue the nation’s economy. Yet, a new analysis paints a grim picture of militarized resource management that’s fueling public disillusionment in the Pakistan-occupied territory.
Far from fostering integration, Islamabad treats PoGB as a frontline buffer, prioritizing strategy over development. CPEC’s hype has faded into local bitterness. The Afghan Diaspora Network report dissects Munir’s narrative as a smokescreen for deeper issues: army-dominated institutions encroaching on civilian domains and chronically ignoring border areas.
Enter the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a military-backed entity meant for investment but now fortifying control over key sectors. The April 25, 2025, rollout of the Mining and Mineral Amendment Act centralized powers federally, under army influence, dismantling regional oversight. Complementing this, the 2024 PoGB Mining Concession Rules amendments on August 15 entrenched Islamabad’s rule, stripping local governance.
Public fury boiled over in Shigar Valley’s massive April 2025 protests, spearheaded by the K-2 Action Committee. Chants of rejection against dual occupations captured a broader revolt against exploitation spanning generations—economic, political, and cultural.
With resources locked under military purview, Munir’s optimistic speeches ring hollow. PoGB’s residents yearn for equitable development, warning that without it, instability will only grow.