As Gilgit-Baltistan voters headed to the polls on Sunday to elect a new regional assembly, a large number of young people from the area were unable to participate in the democratic process—not by choice, but due to challenging circumstances. Thousands of students from Gilgit-Baltistan, currently enrolled in universities across Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, found themselves excluded from voting in elections that will directly impact their future.
The region’s limited higher education infrastructure compels many students to leave home for advanced studies. Gilgit-Baltistan has few institutions offering higher degrees, and those that exist often struggle to meet the academic standards found elsewhere in Pakistan, forcing youth to migrate for better opportunities.
Returning home on election day poses significant obstacles. Airfare ranges between Rs25,000 and Rs35,000 one way, an expense beyond the reach of most students. Additionally, road travel can take 12 to 16 hours each way, making a short trip home impractical, especially during exam periods.
“I am missing this year’s elections because I had to move to Islamabad for higher education,” said Mishal Baig, a student at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). She highlighted the scarcity of quality educational institutions in Gilgit-Baltistan, which forces students to live far from their families, often in difficult hostel conditions. Baig expressed that if she could support a candidate, it would be one focused on improving higher education in the region.
Baig was candid about the academic challenges in Gilgit-Baltistan, noting that very few institutions offer advanced studies, and those that do often fall short of the standards available elsewhere in the country.
For others, missing the vote carried a deeper emotional impact. Narjis Hussain, a student at the International Islamic University, shared, “It was going to be my first time voting, and I was very excited, but due to exams, I couldn’t travel to Skardu to cast my ballot.” She emphasized that voting is both a right and a responsibility, and missing this important democratic event was a source of genuine regret.
Hussain linked the issues of education and voting access, stating that if the region’s educational infrastructure were stronger, students would not have to leave their hometowns, and they would be able to participate fully in elections.
Hashim, a student from Skardu currently studying at Quaid-e-Azam University, echoed these sentiments. “It would have been my first voting experience, but studying in Islamabad prevented me from participating. Voting is a fundamental right, and it is unfortunate that many students from Gilgit-Baltistan cannot exercise this right due to circumstances beyond their control,” he said.
The frustration among students reflects a persistent political pattern. Despite three election cycles—PPP in 2009, PML-N in 2015, and PTI in 2020—little progress has been made in addressing the educational deficiencies that drive students away from Gilgit-Baltistan. Baig pointed out that these parties have repeatedly failed to fulfill their promises to improve the region.
Many students believe the solutions are achievable. Implementing a digitized remote voting system could allow citizens studying away from home to vote without the financial and logistical burdens of travel. More importantly, sustained investment in the region’s education sector could reduce outward migration, ensuring future elections include the voices of those most affected by their outcomes.
