The people of Northern Areas (henceforth named as Gilgit-Baltistan) have long been striving for their political and constitutional rights.

During my visit to the region in 2006, I had wide-ranging interaction with people belonging to different walks of life.

The people were not happy with the political arrangement there. They wanted Islamabad to shun its colonial attitude and empower people as promised to them.

The incumbent democratic government deserves to be applauded for the grant of autonomous status to the Northern Areas along with its elected office-holders and other institutions. This step would go a long way in taking care of the long-standing demand of people.

Coupled with the government's decision to allow political activities in Fata, this development augurs well for the federation.

There has always been a pressing need of addressing the fundamental issues vis-a-vis the federation but successive governments have been found either indifferent or did little to calm things down.

This government did well to deliver on the promise. There is a need to take all political parties on board on these issues to help evolve political consensus and dispel fears in the larger national interest.

SONIA ZAFAR
Lahore