CHINIOT: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Governor Mehdi Shah has called on the federal government to grant the region full provincial status, as promised in the 18th Amendment and to ensure its inclusion in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award.

Speaking to journalists at Rajoa House where he had arrived to offer condolences to PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza on the death of his father, Syed Ghulam Murtaza, the governor said the people of GB are demanding their promised rights.Governor Shah said the federation must provide GB with its due share of development funds. He dismissed PML-N claims that the Sindh government was objecting to GB’s inclusion in the NFC, saying that the Sindh government has officially denied such reports.

Addressing rumours regarding Imran Khan’s sons entering Pakistani politics, Shah remarked that those criticising ‘dynastic politics’ are often practicing it themselves.

He said without the resistance of Imran Khan’s sisters, there would be little momentum within the party to protest his imprisonment.

The governor demanded that the federal government increase the number of seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly from 24 to 30 to ensure better representation.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2025