GILGIT: Members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly belonging to both the opposition and treasury benches have demanded that the federal government should assist in the rehabilitation of people affected by the recent floods across the region.
The demand came during a session of the assembly chaired by Speaker Malik Kifayatur Rehman on Monday.
Aman Ali Ameer tabled a resolution demanding the Flood Commission of Pakistan to approve a PC1 already sent by the GB government for rehabilitation of the affected people. He said the GB government had submitted the Rs6 billion PC1 to the flood commission which was yet to be approved.
He said the displaced people including those in Talidas valley of Ghizer and other areas had been waiting for rehabilitation. Moreover, floods have blocked roads, damaged water channels, infrastructures and agricultural land.
Kulsoom Mehahdi of the PPP told the house that the recent floods had severally affected livelihoods of people.
“In Haramosh area, floods destroyed road networks, killing livestock, damaging homes, farmlands, irrigation channels, and affected people are without any assistance.” She said the federal government should transfer the amount to the GB government so that rehabilitation work in the affected areas could be carried out.
Taking part in the debate, Abdul Jahan from PML-N said the frequency of natural disasters in the region was alarming.
“GB government lacks funds. The prime minister of Pakistan had allocated Rs2 billion for the flood affected areas in 2024; however, due to non-utilisation the amount was returned to the federal government,” he said.
Minister for Communication and Works Mohammad Naseem told the house that the chief minister had announced construction of houses for the displaced people; however, GB has lack of funds to overcome disasters.
Rana Farooq of the PML-N said affected people in Astore valley were also facing difficulties. He pointed out that funds in the past had been misused.
Replying to questions, the chief minister suggested the formation of a committee to make recommendations for the federal government.
The speaker deferred the resolution till Wednesday for voting after necessary amendments.
Meanwhile, the assembly unanimously passed a resolution welcoming the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and called for greater unity and defence cooperation among Muslim countries.
The resolution, moved by Leader of the Opposition Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, also expressed solidarity with Palestine and urged Muslim countries to play a more effective role in promoting peace, security and stability in the Middle East. The assembly members, while describing the treaty as important for the Muslim Ummah, said that after this there had been an outcry in India.
Meanwhile, the GB government has introduced amendments to the Gilgit-Baltistan Revenue Authority Act, 2023, to bring large non-local companies operating in the region under the services tax.
Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate also tabled an amendment to Bill seeking approval from the house.
He said under constitutional framework, income tax and sales tax cannot be imposed in GB. He said it had been proposed in the amendments that all private companies, including banks, above three-star hotels, cellular companies and companies that generated above one billion rupees will be charged the services tax.
The assembly also passed a resolution unanimously demanding restoration of services of 600 lady health workers and health supervisors across GB.
Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026
