PAKISTAN-OCCUPIED KASHMIR (POK)
1. Context
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently expressed India's expectation of having physical jurisdiction over Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the future. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier stated that any talks with Pakistan would focus on PoK rather than Jammu and Kashmir. Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that when referring to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, it includes both PoK and Aksai Chin.
2. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)
- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) covers an area of 13,297 sq km and came under Pakistani control after the ceasefire line took effect on January 1, 1949.
- The region has a population of over 4 million according to a 2017 census and is divided into 10 districts.
- The capital of PoK is Muzaffarabad, located in the valley of the Jhelum River.
- In 1963, Pakistan ceded around 5,000 sq km of Jammu and Kashmir's land to China in the Shaksgam area, beyond the Karakoram range.
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3. Gilgit Baltistan
- Gilgit Baltistan (GB) is a picturesque, hilly region located to the north of PoK and east of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- The British sold it, along with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, to the Dogra ruler of Jammu, Gulab Singh, in 1846.
- The British retained control over Gilgit Baltistan through a lease extracted from the Maharaja, which was last renewed in 1935.
- In 1947, a British army officer handed over GB for accession to Pakistan, imprisoning Maharaja Hari Singh's governor in the region.
- Gilgit Baltistan covers an area of 72,871 sq km, which is five-and-a-half times the size of PoK.
- The region has a sparse population of just under 2 million people.
- Gilgit Baltistan is divided into three administrative divisions and 10 districts: Gilgit, Hunza, Ghizer, Nagar, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Skardu, Diamer, and Astore.
4. The strategic importance of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)
- Geopolitical Significance: PoK serves as a crucial link between Pakistan and China. It shares a border with both countries and is a part of the larger Kashmir region, which is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Its location makes it strategically important for regional politics and security.
- Access to Central Asia: PoK provides Pakistan with a direct land route to Central Asia through the Karakoram Highway. This highway is a major trade and transportation route, enabling connectivity and access to markets in the region.
- Water Resources: PoK is home to the headwaters of several rivers, including the Jhelum and Chenab, which are tributaries of the Indus River. The control of these water resources gives Pakistan an advantage in terms of water supply and hydropower generation.
- Military Advantage: PoK's mountainous terrain offers natural defenses and strategic positions, making it valuable for military purposes. It provides a buffer zone between India and Pakistan and allows for military operations and surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC).
- Nuclear Ambitions: Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear capabilities, and PoK's proximity to the Indian-administered Kashmir region adds to its significance in terms of nuclear deterrence and military strategies.
5. Administrative status in Gilgit Baltistan
- PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and Gilgit Baltistan are ruled directly from Islamabad but are not officially listed as territories of Pakistan.
- Pakistan has four provinces: Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (including FATA), Balochistan, and Sindh.
- PoK and Gilgit Baltistan are considered "autonomous territories" in Pakistan to maintain the narrative that the entire Jammu and Kashmir region is disputed.
- Incorporating these areas into Pakistan's map could harm its international position and recognition.
- According to India's resolution passed by Parliament in 1994, PoK and Gilgit Baltistan are both part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is integral to India by virtue of its accession in 1947.
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For Prelims: Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit Baltistan, Jhelum River, Karakoram range.
For Mains: 1. Discuss the historical background and current status of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the context of the India-Pakistan conflict over Jammu and Kashmir. (250 Words).
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Previous year Question1. What is the importance of developing the Chabahar Port by India? (UPSC 2017)
A. India's trade with African countries will enormously increase.
B. India's relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
C. India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
D. Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipe between Iraq and India.
Answer: C
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Source: The Indian Express
