Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate fast-tracking of energy and infrastructure projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. These initiatives, which are central to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, continue to face strong diplomatic objections from India, which maintains that the region is part of its sovereign territory.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered government officials to prioritize and expedite the completion of infrastructure and energy projects across Gilgit-Baltistan. During a review meeting held in Islamabad, the administration emphasized the need to remove administrative hurdles and ensure steady funding for schemes intended to improve the region's modernization. These initiatives include the development of a 100-megawatt solar power plant and the expansion of the Naltar power project.
The strategic focus on this region is largely linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure network designed to link China’s Xinjiang province with Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea. By integrating digital infrastructure and increasing energy capacity, the current government aims to better connect the territory to its federal economic networks.
However, these developments remain a sensitive issue for India. The Indian government consistently asserts that Gilgit-Baltistan is an integral part of its sovereign territory, classifying the area as part of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Consequently, New Delhi regularly issues protests against infrastructure development in these regions, viewing such activity as a violation of its territorial integrity. The project often involves external capital, which adds a layer of diplomatic complexity to the situation.
The ongoing projects highlight the friction between regional development goals and long-standing territorial disputes. Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to visit the site on November 1 to personally assess the progress of these development works. For observers of regional stability, this situation remains a key factor in bilateral relations, as infrastructure expansion in disputed areas typically draws immediate diplomatic reactions that can affect long-term stability in the region.