GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet has decided to approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the federal government for allegedly holding up the region’s budget and development funds.

It has also decided to approach the federal law ministry for not taking the GB government into confidence in transferring and posting the chief secretary and inspector general of police (IGP).

The federal government transferred Gilgit-Baltistan IGP Muhammad Saeed last week from his post following allegations that GB police officers were being pitted against Punjab police as the latter attempted to arrest PTI chief Imran Khan from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

Ministers at the 28th meeting of the GB cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid and held at Gilgit-Baltistan House in Islamabad on Tuesday, also expressed reservations over the “negative propaganda” against the GB police by some national and local political leaders.

Seeks to end transfer and posting of Gilgit-Baltistan officials without consulting the government

It was decided in the meeting that the GB government would approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the reduction of funds by federal law for regular and development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The meeting noted that Gilgit-Baltistan was being deprived of its legitimate rights since it was not covered under the National Finance Commission (NFC), a mechanism for disbursing federal funds to provinces.

Mr Khurshid said the region was paying a heavy price for not being a constitutional part of the country. He said that while the annual budget of other provinces had been increased by more than 20pc, Gilgit-Baltistan had seen its budget reduced.

He said the GB government would approach the Supreme Court to formulate a clear procedure for providing the budget for the region.

He said the federal law ministry would also be approached to end the practice of not taking the GB government into confidence in transferring and posting its officials.

If the federal law ministry delayed the implementation, the Islamabad High Court would be approached, the cabinet noted.

Mr Khurshid said the recent transfer and posting of Gilgit-Baltistan’s chief secretary and inspector general of police would not be accepted without the consent of the GB government.

He also issued an order to the finance and food secretaries to devise a coordinated strategy to provide a targeted wheat subsidy. It was decided that government employees above Grade 17, including members of the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly and cabinet, would not get a wheat subsidy.

The GB cabinet also decided to speed up a public awareness campaign for the proposed land reforms. All the ministers were instructed to consult stakeholders about the proposed land reform act.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2023