Addressing a news conference, he said a cabinet committee would be constituted to remove hurdles for merging Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan in accordance with the resolutions of United Nations.
The federal minister for overseas Pakistanis, Dr. Farooq Sattar has lauded the Cabinet’s decision of providing self-governance for Northern Areas.
Talking to media after the special Cabinet meeting, he declared the Cabinet’s decision of providing autonomous administrative setup for the renamed region of Gilgit-Baltistan, as a good omen, and also lauded other decisions of appointment of Governor and CM, for the region and representation in Center (Federal Government).
Conveying MQM’s satisfaction, over the historic decision, he said that numerous other reforms have also been approved, which would allow Northern areas to have representation in Center as well.
He also said that since constitutional and international restraints forbade the status of Province for the region, however self-governance on the Azad Kashmir model has been provided, and the legislative assembly of the region would be elected in November.
He elaborated the structure of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, according to which three representatives would be appointed by PM, while three would represent the local assembly. The Governor would be appointed by President as advised by PM. Initially, the federal information minister Qamar-Uz-Zaman Kaira would be the caretaker Governor, until the next regional elections.
He also informed that after meeting and discussion with a delegation of Northern Areas representatives, MQM had conveyed many recommendations to the Federal Cabinet, which had been well-received by them (PM and Cabinet).
These recommendations include, representation in National Assembly, only local citizens for the post of Governorship, legal and constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan be ascertained.
He also recommended tax exemption for the region, besides ascertaining financial resources based on Provincial level, and royalties for tourism and natural resources being provided by the region.
The federal minister also demanded the right of region to its own Budget, and urged that Baltistan should be administratively categorized by more districts.
Replying to a question, the federal minister urged on all political parties to maintain harmony and cordiality, in current volatile political situation and eschew confrontational politics.
He said that ‘carving more provinces’ was a distant subject, expressing his belief that all leaders of political parties were sagacious and prudent enough to understand the sensitivity and volatility of prevailing situation.
The News
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