GILGIT: The term of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) legislative assembly is going to end on Dec 10 and the federal government has not yet made amendment in the GB Empowerment and Self Governance Order, 2009, which could pave the way for the setting up of a caretaker government.

According to sources, GB Governor Peer Karam Ali Shah will host a farewell dinner for members of the outgoing assembly on Monday (Dec 8).

An official of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan told Dawn that the situation was confusing because the existing governance law of GB did not provide any provision for the setting up of a caretaker government.

No arrangement made to set up caretaker govt

“It is not yet clear what will happen when the term of the assembly will end next week,” he added.

The official said according to the 2009 governance order powers for its amendment rests with the president of Pakistan.

He said the prime minister was competent authority to take action in this regard. For resolving the issue the ministry had sent a summary to the Prime Minister’s Office, recommending amendment in the GB governance law which would pave the way for the setting up of a caretaker government, he added.

The official said it had been recommended that amendment should be made in the governance law to allow the incumbent chief minister and the leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly to nominate with mutual understanding a caretaker chief minister. And if the two leaders failed to develop consensus, the prime minister should have final authority, he added.

He said a caretaker set-up was necessary for avoiding a political crisis in the region.

The official said holding elections in GB was not possible between December and April because of harsh weather conditions in the region.

He said the former judge of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Tahir Ali Shah, had been appointed as Chief Election Commissioner for GB and its notification had also been issued.

Tahir Ali Shah, who hails from GB, will take oath of his office next week.

The post had been vacant since October last year.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2014