ISLAMABAD: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) parliamentarians on Friday rejected the proposed Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2020 of federal government and demanded not to change constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan and the grant of fundamental rights to its citizens.

Addressing a press conference, Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Speaker Fida Mohammad Nashad said the Supreme Court order regarding the status of Gilgit-Baltistan should be implemented.

The speaker was flanked by opposition leader retired Capt Shafi, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Dr Iqbal Wazir, MLA from PPP Javed Hussain and Standing Committee on Information Chairman Kacho Imtiaz Haider.

He said for the last 72 years, Gilgit-Baltistan had been administered through presidential orders.

He said the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2020 was being prepared by federal government and the proposed reforms draft stated that the federal government would grant GB the status of a provisional province.

He said that there was no representation of GB in the National Assembly and in the federal cabinet and it was growing anxiety in Gilgit-Baltistan which was not a good omen.

He said if the problem was not resolved, a contempt of court would be submitted in the Supreme Court.

He said that parties would also hold a long march to Islamabad if our demands were not met.

According to the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the UN Charter, the constitutional status should be recognised. Gilgit-Baltistan should be given all the facilities which are available in the constitution, he said.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2020