The political process of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has nothing to do with institutionally democratic evolution but with managed democracy. The fate of these territories remains constitutionally unsettled because of the Kashmir dispute. Political interference has further marginalised local legitimacy rather than strengthening regional cohesion. Since 1990, many governments in Islamabad have changed, but the governing approach and logic used ain these territories have continued to be largely intact. For a persistent model of control, the elements of policy vision, leadership continuity, and institutional depth have been compromised, thus treating these regions less as self-determining territories and more as administratively suitable extensions of the federal government of Pakistan.

A clear pattern since the 1990s has asserted itself, where the political party that forms government in Islamabad almost invariably goes on to assume power in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. This reflects the structural dominance of the federal government of Pakistan that has influence over finances, development budget, senior administrative and judicial appointments, and informal political alliances. Moreover, the federal government’s Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan also exercises significant authority in these territories. Consequently, the democratic processes in these regions do not truly reflect the will of the local people but the will of the federal government.

The constitutional frameworks of these territories reflect this imbalance. The Interim Constitution Act of 1974 governs Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It was adopted and amended 14 times to date, as a provisional parliamentary system for AJK. It defines governance for the “liberated territories”, but the ultimate authority in matters of defence, foreign affairs, and overall budgetary control rests with Islamabad. The federal government runs the AJK through the Kashmir Council, and it is chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. In 2018, many responsibilities were transferred back to the legislative assembly while retaining strategic supervision in federal hands.

The administered Kashmir area is around 13,297 sq.km, it has 3 divisions and 10 districts. The population of 4.5 million has a population growth rate of 2.5 per cent, with 88 per cent of people living in rural areas, while 12 per cent are settled in urban areas. Although the literacy rate is around 80 per cent, only 2.2 per cent are graduates. Fiscal year 2025-26, the AJK government presented a Budget of Rs . 310 billion with Rs. 49........

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