Skip to main content

Gilgit-Baltistan’s Federal Job Quota: Why Its Enhancement Is Now Imperative


Gilgit-Baltistan’s Exclusion from Federal Job Advertisements: A Persistent, Systemic, and Unaddressed Injustice

The Gilgit-Baltistan Career Forum’s Facebook post of 27 November 2025 has once again brought into sharp focus a long-standing, deeply entrenched, and profoundly unsettling reality: the continuous omission of Gilgit-Baltistan’s (GB) quota from federal job advertisements issued by ministries, divisions, autonomous bodies, and state-owned organizations. Despite the constitutional spirit, administrative obligations, and moral imperative that mandate equitable—and now urgently enhanced—representation of GB in federal employment, the region remains persistently sidelined in national recruitment processes.

This recurring exclusion represents not merely an administrative oversight but a structural and systemic injustice. It erodes foundational principles of equal opportunity, deepens institutional mistrust, and weakens the very fabric of national cohesion.

As the Forum succinctly highlights, “These days, when federal institutions advertise posts, the quotas of all provinces—including Azad Kashmir—are clearly specified, yet the quota for Gilgit-Baltistan is often overlooked. This is a serious issue about which a collective voice must be raised so that the youth of GB may also receive equal opportunities.” This stark observation personifies the collective frustration of GB’s people, who continue to face a disproportionate—and often total—exclusion from federal employment.

A Critical New Dimension: Zero Representation in Many Federal Bodies

Beyond the recurring omission of GB’s quota in advertisements, a graver and more alarming fact demands immediate attention: there remain numerous federal organizations, regulatory bodies, commissions, attached departments, and state enterprises where Gilgit-Baltistan has no representation whatsoever.

This reality exposes a deeper institutional problem. When entire federal departments operate without a single employee from GB, it demonstrates that the quota system—already insufficient—is not merely ignored in advertisements but is absent in actual recruitment outcomes.

Such departments remain inaccessible to qualified youth from GB simply because the system does not recognize or implement its obligations. This is not marginalization—it is exclusion in its purest form.

This trend also raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and fairness in federal HR practices. It compels one to ask:

  • How have these federal bodies functioned for decades without inducting even a single individual from Gilgit-Baltistan?

  • Why have oversight bodies not questioned this absence?

  • What mechanisms, if any, exist to ensure representation is audited and updated?

The answer is clear: none that are effective, enforced, or monitored.

This vacuum in oversight makes the call for enhanced and mandatory implementation of GB’s quota even more urgent.

Historical Context: A Demand Repeated Yet Ignored

The demand for a strengthened, consistently applied, and expanded federal quota for GB is not new. It has been raised repeatedly, including in the three analytical essays titled “Raison d’être of Job’s Quota” published on windotogb.com on 6, 9, and 12 April 2020. These essays articulated compelling reasons for enhancing GB’s representation:

1. Geopolitical and Constitutional Constraints

GB’s strategic role and unique constitutional status limit access to national policy arenas. Enhanced quotas compensate for decades of structural exclusion.

2. Socioeconomic and Developmental Disparities

Educational limitations, geographic barriers, and economic deprivation create unequal competition. Fair quotas level the playing field for marginalized youth.

3. Demographic and Human Resource Realities

A rapidly expanding educated population in GB requires proportionate opportunities within federal structures.

4. National Integration and Rights-Based Representation

Ensuring GB’s presence in national institutions is not symbolic—it is essential to strengthening belonging, citizenship, and national harmony.

Yet, despite these reasoned analyses—supported by widespread public sentiment—federal authorities have failed to act. The result is a repetitive cycle of neglect that intensifies grievances and widens the distance between promise and reality.

The Urgent Need for Systemic Reform

The concerns raised by the Gilgit-Baltistan Career Forum now signal an inflection point. For a meaningful resolution:

  • Federal ministries and attached departments must be legally compelled to include GB’s quota in all advertisements.

  • A federal audit must identify departments with zero GB representation and require immediate corrective recruitment.

  • Civil society, student groups, and public representatives must sustain pressure to ensure full compliance.

  • A monitoring framework must ensure that representation is not merely written but actually implemented.

Equitable quota implementation is not a favor extended to GB—it is a constitutional, administrative, and moral responsibility. It is especially vital given the extreme economic deprivation, limited job markets, and high youth unemployment faced by the region.

A Turning Point for Justice and Inclusion

If the exclusion of GB from federal employment continues unchecked—both in advertisements and in actual staffing—the result will be intensified regional disparities, a deeper sense of alienation, and eroded trust in federal institutions.

Conversely, enforcing a transparent, just, and enhanced quota across all federal bodies would strengthen national integration, uplift thousands of deserving young people, and ensure GB’s rightful place within the institutions of the state.

The Moment for Action Is Now

This longstanding grievance can no longer be addressed through symbolic assurances or periodic statements. It requires policy-level correction, structural reform, and unwavering political will.

Only through decisive action can the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan receive the fair, proportional, and dignified representation they deserve across all federal organizations—without exception.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Episode 1: A Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

A window to Northern Areas-I, The Muslim dated July 4, 1997. By Syed Shamsuddin   Most of our people even today seem quite oblivious of the geo-political position of Northern Areas while the exact historical background concerning Gilgit-Baltistan and where these must stand politically remains yet another subject of discussion. Not to speak of a layman, a person of the stature of Chief Executive of the country, once inquired whether the Northern Areas an integral part of the north west frontier province (NWFP). This happened when he rule the country in the aftermath of martial law. Yet another minister on Kashmir and Northern Areas, during the democratic government that followed, was pleased to tell a member of the northern areas council that he owed his minisitership not to them (Northern Areas people) but to the turbaned man of his constituency, standing at the door of his official chambers. There is infact, dearth of substantial historical evidence as to when exactly man ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Episode 4: A Window to Gilgit-Baltistan part-1

A window to Northern Areas-IV, The Muslim dated July 7, 1997 Author: Syed Shams ud Din    The word providence in Sheena language equates with ‘bagharo’ and in this sense, it may safely be implied that the term Bagrote emanated from this word as the valley once famous for its agricultural produce, wildlife and richness in fruits hence the people living there were used to be called ‘bagharoos’ – those distributing basic necessities of life. This attribute seems to have later degenerated into Bagrote – the land of ‘bagharoos’ (distributors).  It has been noticed that the famous mythology of Gilgit is all in Brushiski which also includes that of Kirak Prince. The attribution of all the names to almost all places of what was formerly called the Brushal are a pointer to the firm hold of this kingdom in the past as a reality. The people of these areas, prior to Islam, all embraced ‘Shamanism’. A cursory glance over the ancient history of India may abundantly reveal the fa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Episode 3: A Windows to Gilgit-Baltistan

A window to Northern Areas-III, The Muslim dated July 6,1997 Author: Syed Shamsuddin    In the ‘History of Jammu and Kashmir’ by Maulvi Hashmatullah Khan Lakhnavi, there is a mention of ancient rulers (Rajas) of Gilgit called Aghurtham and Baghurtham who have been famous rulers of Brushal. It is to be noted that the word ‘Tham’ in Brushaski means ruler. When delved deep, it transpires that the words like Berish (the land of Berish), Malokush, Kanjukush etc.,  were further embellished by the Tibetans, the Baltis and Ladakhis by pronouncing at ease as like Brushal in their own tongue. The Aghutham’s rock still lies amidst Gilgit river near Thopchar in Gilgit city which is called “Aghurthamai Giri”. Likewise, Aghurtham’s Forte is situated at Konodas, Gilgit near Gulsher Mohellah where the remains are. It has been observed that the carvings on the above rock and that of the Karagha nullah and the one at Hal Nal near Nagaral are identical and hence seem to have been engrave...
Post a Comment
Read more