Geneva, April 28: Gilgit Baltistan that was annexed from the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir is located strategically between Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan. It has been controlled by Pakistan for decades now, and suffers from sectarian violence, militancy, poverty and unemployment. Senge Hashan Sering, president of the U.S. based Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies, blamed Pakistan for exploiting the region and fulfilling its own strategic interests. Many mega dams are under construction by Pakistan, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam on the River Indus, which has been facing criticism from locals.
