Pakistan government’s slander in its own country

Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan has been criticized in its own country regarding Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Universal Service Fund, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Information Technology Ministry, has refused to launch telecom projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK. The Universal Service Fund says that constitutionally this area is not part of Pakistan. In its letter, USF said that because of this, cellular mobile companies may refuse to launch telecom projects here.

This situation is very embarrassing for the Government of Pakistan. India has always been saying that Pakistan has illegally occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK. The residents here are also angry with this attitude of the Government of Pakistan. In fact, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid had requested the USF to increase its services in this area. He wanted the agency to start this project as soon as possible so that better internet connectivity can be provided in this mountainous region. At the same time, USF is working without any problem in other parts of Pakistan.

Pakistan is promoting construction work in Gilgit-Baltistan due to the influence of China and it is doing so due to the economic corridor between China and Pakistan. Sources in Indian investigative agencies have said that Pakistani hypocrisy on Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK has been exposed. The people of both these areas have understood this and they have stood up for their rights.

While Universal Service Fund is providing services in the troubled areas of Pakistan, Fata and Balochistan but is refusing to provide service in Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK. This is a direct indication that the USF has kept the people of these two areas separate from Pakistan.

According to a report last year, the Pakistan government was expected to conduct spectrum auctions for PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan in September to provide next-generation mobile service in these areas, which would improve telecom and broadband services.