GILGIT: The treasury and opposition members in Gilgit-Baltistan Legislate Assembly (GBLA) on Tuesday expressed concern for the inordinate delay in announcement of political and constitutional reforms in the region.

Through a resolution passed unanimously, the GBLA demanded of the federal government to share with the local lawmakers and implement the recommendations of a constitutional committee headed by Sartaj Aziz, the then adviser to the PM on foreign affairs. They said the body was formed on Oct 29, 2015 to suggest steps to bring political and constitutional reforms in GB.

The session was chaired by Speaker Fida Nashad. Opposition member Kacho Imtiaz Haider presented the resolution, which demanded of the federal government that the parliamentary committee recommendations, which had been finalised in 2017, should be shared with the GBLA members.

Speaking on the occasion, education minister Mohammad Ibrahim Sanai said bringing political reforms in GB was not the issue of a party or a government, but was a national issue. Opposition member Sikandar Ali said GB people had been deprived of constitutional rights for last seven decades.

Minister for works Dr Mohammad Iqbal lamented that the people had voted them for protecting their basic rights, but the federal government was not extending constitutional rights to GB.

“Despite being a loyal citizen of this country, I cannot become member of National Assembly,” he deplored. “Declaring GB constitutional part of Pakistan is in the interest of the country.”

He threatened that GB people would organise a sit-in outside the Parliament House in Islamabad for 100 days for their rights.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2018