GILGIT, Feb 10: A proposed interim constitution for the Northern Areas has been drafted in the light of the Supreme Court’s verdict of May 28, 1999, on the status of the region.

Syed Jafar Shah, a member of the Northern Areas Legislative Council, told Dawn he had drafted a constitution, comprised of 83 articles, under Section 34 of the Northern Areas Council Rules of Business. The document will be submitted to the legislative council as a private bill.

He remarked that the proposed Interim Constitution Act 2003, would not affect the government’s stand on Kashmir, stating that its implementation would help check the all-powerful bureaucracy of the area.

Mr Shah, who is also an office-bearer of the PPP, said the government had prepared an interim constitution for the AJK Legislative Assembly in 1974, which is in force today.