Pakistan, June 2 -- On the campaign trail in Shigar, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasised that any new constitutional amendment must protect Gilgit-Baltistan's rights and resources and that its elected representatives deserved the authority and revenue promised to other federating units. He has argued that the region should have the same rights under the Constitution's 18th Amendment and has even questioned the continued existence of the federal ministry that oversees GB. That may sound like a flourish during an election rally, but it touches the oldest wound in GB politics. For decades, its people have been asked to demonstrate loyalty without being given a clear constitutional place inside Pakistan.

The June 7 vote comes a...