GILGIT, Nov 26: The federal government has proposed a reforms package for the people of Northern Areas, which is in addition to the packages announced in 1994, 1999 and 2004.

Sources told Dawn that the federal government had proposed an independent judicial set-up and a powerful cabinet for the region, which had been the longstanding demand of the people of the area.

They said the federal government had approved a political package for the Northern Areas, which had been prepared under the chairmanship of constitutional expert Sharif-ud-Din Pirzada. The package will be announced by the prime minister during his forthcoming visit to the Northern Areas.

Under the proposal, the sources said, the existing judicial system of the Northern Areas, currently an attached department of the Kashmir and Northern Areas Ministry, would be given independent status like other parts of Pakistan.

Northern Areas Legislative Council advisory cabinet members will get more powers, equal to that of provincial minister, and they will be called ministers, instead of advisers.

The status of the NALC will be upgraded to that of an assembly with full legislative powers. The present NALC can make legislation only on 49 subjects under the Northern Areas Legal Frame Work Order, 1994. Its legislations are approved by the KANA minister, who is also as the chief executive of the region.

The sources said administrative and financial powers would be delegated to the Northern Areas deputy chief executive to address grievances of the people of Northern Areas in Gilgit, and the people would not have to seek remedy from Islamabad. Presently, all administrative and financial powers are exercised by the federal KANA minister.

The sources said that after introduction of the new system in the region, the KANA minister would act as governor and all decisions regarding the region would be made within the Northern Areas. They said that the at the most, the people of Northern Areas would not be given representation in the National Assembly and Senate.