ISLAMABAD, Oct 4 The reforms package for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) would go a long way in empowering people of the area. The package, however, would not have any negative impact on the Kashmir issue, says Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira.
Addressing a roundtable conference in National Press Club on Sunday, Mr Kaira, who is also Acting Governor of GB said that Pakistan's stand on Kashmir was very clear that it should be resolved according to wishes of Kashmiri people.
The conference titled “Self-governance of Gilgit Balistitan Issue of Kashmir” was also attended by Kashmiri and GB representatives, who expressed their views and concerns on the Gilgit-Baltistan Self-governance and Empowerment Order, 2009.
Mr Kaira said that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, during his recent visit to the area, had clearly stated that Pakistan wanted improved and better relations with India, but not at the cost of keeping Kashmir issue unresolved.
He said the government had fulfilled the longstanding demand of the people by passing Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-governance Order.
Welcoming the recommendations of political and religious parties from AJK and GB, he said these would be given consideration, adding, the package could not be termed as final document as further improvements could be made in it.
On the powers of the governor, the information minister said these were only symbolic and the real powers would rest with the chief minister after the election in Gilgit-Baltistan on November 12.
Mr Kaira said officials of the GB would be provided training opportunities in the country and abroad to help them build their capacity, adding, the government had declared hotelling in the area an industry.
He said this year Rs10 billion had been earmarked for the Gilgit-Baltistan region under the PSDP, while Rs15 billion had also been demanded from the government to improve the area's tourism, mining, education, health and policing sectors.
Those who spoke on the occasion included among others former AJK prime ministers Barrister Sultan Mahmood, Sardar Attique Ahmad, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Ch Yasin, Amanulah Khan of JKLF, Abdul Rashid Turabi of JI AJK, Raja Farooq Haider of AJK Muslim Conference and Ch Majeed of PPP AJK.
The conference was coincided by a protest demonstration staged by students and other people outside the press club against what they described the ongoing target killings in Gilgit.
They denounced the authorities for failing to control the situation and arrest the culprits.
The protesters holding placards and banners raised slogans in favour of peace and bringing an environment of brotherhood in the region.