Northern Areas' political reforms

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

NAs to get CM, governor in new set-up
​

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday decided to introduce a new political set up in the Northern Areas, which will be headed by a governor and a chief minister as chief executive of the region.

“The government has decided to introduce a new system of governance with more administrative and financial autonomy compared to the incumbent Legislative Council,” sources privy to the development told Daily Times. The proposal was finalised in a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. “The proposal will be brought before the cabinet for approval in a special meeting on Saturday,” the sources said. They said that under the proposed set up, the NAs council would be empowered to legislate and prepare its own budget on the pattern of the provincial governments. “The elections for the new council will be held this year. This NAs system will be strengthened and they will be given more autonomy in decision-making,” the sources said.

They said the NAs council would elect its chief minister like the provincial assemblies do and then a cabinet would be formed. “A governor would also be appointed by the Centre,” they said, adding that the decision had been taken to give constitutional, political and financial autonomy to the people of the Northern Areas. zulfiqar ghuman

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Northern areas to be renamed 'Gilgit Baltistan'​

Saturday, 29 Aug, 2009 | 05:04 PM PST |

ISLAMABAD: The Northern areas will be renamed to 'Gilgit Baltistan' and will have a province like status, Prime Minister Gilani announced on Saturday.

In a special cabinet meeting, the government approved reforms package for the Northern Areas during which the PM stated that the area will be given full autonomy.

Gilgit Baltistan will also have its own assembly council with a total of 15 members. There will be a governor, chief minsiter and six other ministers of Gilgit.

Pakistan Muslim League - N (PML-N) has welcomed the approval of self-governance for the Northern Areas, saying PML-N would support every step which aimed to bring people of these areas into the mainstream.

Talking to a private TV channel, Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said that PML-N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has been a great supporter of giving the same rights to people of Gilgit-Baltistan Region like other areas of the country have.

He said that the people of these areas should be given resources to improve infrastructure, social sector and a university should be setup for students to get higher education.

The PML-N leader urged an improvement in the judicial system as well as effective implementation of law and order as there was sectarian violence in the areas.

He said that both PML-N and PPP are committed to the Charter of Democracy (CoD). -Dawn News/Online

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Northern areas to be renamed 'Gilgit Baltistan'

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It is not clear in this article, but I am assuming the 15 member assembly council is going to be elected by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Any confirmation on that count from anyone?

About time for these reforms too.

 

[s90]

Im happy to hear that,it would be big achievement for PPP i guess.

 

[Hyde]

i am very happy to hear that, trust me couple of weeks/months ago i used to say PPP under Zardari is a worst government but after some positive steps i no longer think like that. It is still a Pakistani Government

I was recalling my memory and found so many good news under Zardari and Yousuf Raza Gillani's cabinet like

1) A new Army base in FANA
2) Today's news about new politicial system in FANA
3) Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project
4) Judges Movement
5) Bhasha Dam project
6) Bunji Dam also being considered now
7) FoDP Forum
8) Trying to overcome the electricity crisis for good
9) New Textile policies and the export target of $25 billion within 3 years time only in Textile sector
10) target of $65 Billion dollars of export by 2015
11) 90,000 Workers to be exported to Libya by the end of this year
12) 70,000 more Workers to be exported to Malaysia by the end of next year (total 10,0000)

so on so on...............

 

[Evil Flare]

One of the Best Move


" Gilgit Baltistan " Name Should be Restored as it once was ....

 

[Patriot]

This is great..I hope government can pull more reforms like giving more autonomy to Balochistan province..I hope PPP is elected next time instead of PML N who i really hate and they will stop all projects which usually happened in 90's Nawaz came in put his projects Benazir came in put his projects then again nawaz then benazir lol but Zardari i hope next time should not be elected.Anyway lets wait if this really works.Every government make lots of promises but in the end of their regime nothign has actually happened.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Gilgit-Baltistan govt in 3 months: Farooq
Updated at: 1545 PST, Saturday, August 29, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Parliamentary leader of the MQM Dr Farooq Sattar said the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan would be held in next three months to install Asad-Kashmir like government there.

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.

Gilgit-Baltistan govt in 3 months: Farooq

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Well that answers my question on whether the members will be elected.

 

[Xeric]

An awaited step.

Let's pray that this new 'province' of ours should set examples for the others to follow, and dont just get bogged down as other due to mishandling and corruption!

 

[Spring Onion]

The Set Up was approved by Musharraf Government

 

[SSGPA1]

I was recalling my memory and found so many good news under Zardari and Yousuf Raza Gillani's cabinet like

1) A new Army base in FANA
2) Today's news about new politicial system in FANA
3) Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project
4) Judges Movement
5) Bhasha Dam project
6) Bunji Dam also being considered now
7) FoDP Forum
8) Trying to overcome the electricity crisis for good
9) New Textile policies and the export target of $25 billion within 3 years time only in Textile sector
10) target of $65 Billion dollars of export by 2015
11) 90,000 Workers to be exported to Libya by the end of this year
12) 70,000 more Workers to be exported to Malaysia by the end of next year (total 10,0000)

More than half were actually started in President Musharraf's govt.

I give PPPP govt. credit for the continution of policies from the previous govt. This has always been an issue where Nawaz Sharif would spend money to start projects and then BB's govt. will kill that project and vice versa.

 

[SSGPA1]

Gilgit-Baltistan govt in 3 months: Farooq
Updated at: 1545 PST, Saturday, August 29, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Parliamentary leader of the MQM Dr Farooq Sattar said the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan would be held in next three months to install Asad-Kashmir like government there.

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.

Gilgit-Baltistan govt in 3 months: Farooq

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Well that answers my question on whether the members will be elected.

I think this is the begining of a couple of things:

1. Merging Gilgit-Baltistan & FATA into Pakistan.
2. A possible merger of Azak Kashmir in its present form??
3. A step towards officially changing the name of NWFP to Pakhtoonkhuwa.
4. Preparing nation for more provinces down the road.

Overall a good step because that has been the demand of people in that area.

Lets pray that this move will bring more development to that area and Pakistan can have its own Switzerland (facilities wise).

 

[Enigma SIG]

I do not quite understand. Does this mean that there is a change in policy over kashmir...? Can somebody describe the broader implications of this decision; internally and externally...?

 

[Comet]

An excellent decision. Hope this goes well.

 

[muse]

Excellent decision, I would have preferred to see the NA in a number of new provinces - now ofcourse the province need a new name

 

[SSGPA1]

I do not quite understand. Does this mean that there is a change in policy over kashmir...? Can somebody describe the broader implications of this decision; internally and externally...?

This is just a hypothesis and I could be absolutely wrong but we should look at all the possibilities.

If AJK inded passes a resolution then it doesn't change Pakistan's stand (atleast offically) as it is looking for the entire Kashmir to merge with Pakistan and this can be called the first step in that direction.