With the construction of the Bunji and Diamer-Bhasha dams, Pakistan will be able to meet at least a seven-decade-old demand of the citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan to constitutionally integrate with the main land, secure the vital geo-strategic route of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, and protect tourism, economic water, and energy interests.
Pakistan is only granting Gilgit-Baltistan provisional provincial status, and its position on the UN Security Council resolution on Kashmir remains unchanged. Karakoram was developed jointly by Pakistan and China via Gilgit-Baltistan, and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor follows the same route.
People of Gilgit-Baltistan struggled for independence and also sought provisional province status. The new agreement would contain a provision for a plebiscite in compliance with a United Nations Security Council resolution for a final settlement of the issue.
