The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions (KAGB and SAFRON) is a Federal Ministry of the Government of Pakistan, entrusted with the responsibility of formulating and implementing policies relating to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the administration and development of Gilgit-Baltistan, the affairs of the former and acceding States and matters concerning Afghan refugees in Pakistan, in accordance with the Constitution, the Rules of Business, 1973 and Pakistan’s international obligations. The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs was established in March, 1949, to deal with matters pertaining to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. With the evolution of constitutional and administrative arrangements, its mandate was subsequently extended to GilgitBaltistan, with a view to strengthening democratic governance, ensuring maximum devolution of powers and promoting sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. The promulgation of the Gilgit-Baltistan, Empowerment and SelfGovernance Order, 2009, followed by subsequent reforms has provided a sound institutional framework for autonomy, protection of fundamental rights and the functioning of an independent judiciary in the region.

The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, one of the oldest Federal Ministry, has historically been responsible for the affairs of the former princely and acceding States, frontier regions and the management and welfare of Afghan refugees. In pursuance of S.R.O. No. 83(I)/2025, dated 4 February, 2025, the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions has been merged into the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan as a Wing. Consequently, the Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CCAR) has been placed as an Attached Department of the Ministry. Necessary amendments have been carried out in the Rules of Business, 1973 and the Ministry has accordingly been re-designated as the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions.

The Ministry plays a pivotal role in advancing Pakistan’s principled and peaceful position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. It coordinates with the Governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, their respective Councils, Federal Ministries and Divisions and other stakeholders, to ensure effective governance, institutional strengthening and the formulation and implementation of development policies and programmes.

In addition, the Ministry oversees matters relating to the acceding and merged States and formulates and coordinates policies concerning Afghan refugees, with a focus on humanitarian assistance, protection and durable solutions, in line with national priorities and international commitments. Through comprehensive policy formulation, strategic planning, inter-governmental coordination and effective oversight, the Ministry functions as the principal Federal coordinating and policy-making body in these domains and remains committed to promoting democratic values, human rights, regional stability and the socio-economic uplift of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and refugee communities, in furtherance of the vision and objectives of the Government of Pakistan.