Gilgit-Baltistan ordinance signs by President of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Asif Ali Zardari President of Pakistan signed the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2009 aimed at introducing far-reaching administrative, political, financial and judicial reforms in the Northern Areas.

The President congratulated the people of Gilgit and Baltistan on the realization of yet another dream of emancipation. He recalled the reforms by the PPP in 1975 and again in 1994 and said he was pleased that the PPP government and reforms in Northern Areas were interlinked.

Explaining the salient features of the Order, signed today Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar told the mediapersons that Gilgit-Baltistan will now have an elected Legislative Assembly which would elect the Chief Minister.

The Governor will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Till the election of the Legislative Assembly, the Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas would be the Acting Governor, he said.

The Chief Minister elected by the Legislative Assembly would be assisted by six Ministers and two Advisors. The Legislative Assembly would have twenty four(24) members who would be elected directly besides six women and three technocrats’ seats. It would have powers to make laws on sixty one subjects, he said.

Farhatullah Babar said that there would be a Gilgit-Baltistan Consolidated Fund and the annual budget would be presented to the Assembly and voted upon as was being done by the other provinces. It will also have its own Public Service Commission, a Chief Election Commissioner and an Auditor General, he said.

The Northern Areas of Pakistan would be called Gilgit-Baltistan.

About the Judicial reforms contained in the Order, he said that the Chief Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court would be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of the Governor.

Other Judges shall be appointed by the Chairman on the advice of Governor after seeking views of the Chief Judge. The number of Judges would be increased from three to five.

It may be mentioned that the first major administrative, judicial and political reforms were introduced and feudal system was abolished in 1975 during the government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Further democratization of the area was effected during the government of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto through the Northern Areas Legal Framework Order 1994.

The third instalment of major reforms order was signed today by President Asif Ali Zardari, Farhatullah Babar said.

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Gilgit-Baltistan ordinance signs by President of Pakistan was first posted on September 7, 2009 at 8:55 pm.
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