ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 The first session of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council held here on Friday with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the chair approved the region's Rs223.268 million first budget. The council also adopted four bills.

The council approved the bills under Article 33 of the G-B Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009, included the Gilgit-Baltistan Council Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2010, the Members of the G-B Council (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) Bill, 2010, the G-B Council Civil Servants (Adaptation) and the G-B Adaptation of Laws Bill, 2010.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and G-B Mian Manzoor Ahmed Watto moved three motions which were approved by the council.

The first motion relates to the taxation policy and the council decided that a committee would be formed to examine proposals and finalise recommendations.

Through the second motion, the council formed a special committee for adaptation of laws/ordinances of Pakistan by the G-B council corresponding to the Third Schedule (Council Legislative List) of the G-B (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009.

Another special committee was formed to examine and recommend the mode of management for departments and their subjects/functions.

The meeting elected Amjad Hussain as the chairman of council's public accounts committee.

In his opening remarks, Mr Gilani expressed the confidence that the elected representatives would not only set the agenda for socio-economic development of Gilgit-Baltistan, but would also ensure fair and judicious distribution of resources.

The council offered fateha for late Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Shama Khalid who died of cancer a couple of months ago.