ACCORDING to news reports, Gilgit-Baltistan will enjoy considerable autonomy. Local-based legislation and administration are vouchsafed for which the legislative body (assembly) will be elected by the universal adult suffrage.

This seems a good idea until one realises that it has no institutional link with the four provinces, the federal setup and the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.

The excuse by the prime minister that it cannot be given a constitutional status as a province and representation in the federal parliament because of commitment to the UN resolution is unconvincing as there is nothing in it that forbids Pakistan from providing legal fundamental rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The UN is unable to secure fundamental rights of Kashmiris and Gilgit-Baltistan, nor is India prepared to listen to any reasoning. The UN Kashmir policy continues to be a major human disaster with scant regard for the human rights and popular opinion.

This appears to be part of the western agenda for settlement of the Kashmir Issue.

But we need to know as to what is the game plan. Kashmiris themselves should come forward as any settlement on Kashmir without the involvement of Kashmiris will be the beginning of a disastrous situation.

Low literacy rate, shortage of industry, bad roads and communications, shortage of energy resources and lack of job opportunities have ignited cynicism and schism amongst the people of the region.

The muddle dates back to Kashmir wrangle. The demand for ballot on Kashmir does seem invalid but it would be unethical for Gilgit-Baltistan people to pay for someone else's neglect.

We all know that Kashmiri leaders have always opposed the autonomy and rights of people of Gilgit-Baltistan. I suggest that Azad Kashmir Assembly and Gilgit-Baltistan legislation should be headed by a single governor.

Likewise, there should be one high court for AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. The renaming of Northern Areas as Gilgit-Baltistan will return the lost integrity of people of the area reviving tourism in the Taliban-stricken land.

Leaders of the areas should not take dictations anymore from Islamabad and start working for the good of their people, who have suffered enough since 1947.

Any cosmetic reforms will hurt the patriotic sentiments of millions of individuals as well as their socio-economic interest -- not to mention the $12bn's worth of 4,500 MW Bhasha-Diamer Dam.

NIMRAH ZAFAR KHAN
Lahore