The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the federal government to grant the region provisional provincial status, as well as constitutional and political rights for its residents.
Supported by both treasury and opposition lawmakers, the resolution noted the historical background of Gilgit-Baltistan’s liberation, subsequent administrative reforms, and constitutional mechanisms for its integration into the national constitutional framework.
Referring to the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009, it said the legislation had established an elected legislative assembly and enhanced self-governance, while simultaneously reaffirming that further constitutional advancement of the region remained an objective of the state.
According to the resolution, the GB assembly was granted legislative powers through the Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018 and urged the center to implement the recommendations of the Sartaj Aziz committee by granting GB the status of a provisional province. Doing so, it stressed, would allow residents to elect their representatives to the National Assembly and secure representation at the national level.
“Until Gilgit-Baltistan is granted provisional provincial status, this House also appeals to the federal government and the governments of all four provinces to support the inclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan in the [NFC] Award, taking into account all relevant indicators, and to ensure that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan receive equitable representation and their rightful share in national resources,” it read.
The resolution said the provisional status shall be without prejudice to Pakistan’s international commitments and legal position regarding the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, adding it shall not affect the final disposition of the territory in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and any future plebiscite or settlement.
Following the provisional status, it said, the people of the region shall be accorded the same rights as enjoyed by the citizens of other provinces of Pakistan, including representation in the National Assembly, Senate, and other federal constitutional institutions. The federal government shall initiate, in consultation with stakeholders, the necessary constitutional, legal, and administrative measures for the implementation of this resolution, it added.