ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman said historic measures were taken by the federal government to give due rights and raise the living standard of the people of GB.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that promulgated Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, would revolutionize the whole region and would make GB government equally powerful like other provincial governments and grant similar basic rights to the GB residents.

He said under the order that had replaced GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order of 2009, all powers would rest with the GB Assembly and there would be no discrimination between the fundamental rights, enjoyed by the residents of other provinces and those of the GB.

The CM said that under the new order, all the subjects which had been devolved to provinces under 18th Constitutional Amendment would also stand devolved to GB.

He said now GB Governor would be from within the territory and the judges and the chief justice of the high court would also be locals.

Like other provinces, the provincial civil service structure would also be established for GB to employ the locals for public service.

Moreover, the GB would also be given quota in Pakistan Civil Service, he said. He told that after now, the chief secretaries would be given all powers so that the people would not need to visit Islamabad for resolution of their issues.

He thanked the federal government for taking measures for empowering the government and the people of GB.

Pieces published earlier: 

i) Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today inaugurated the newly constructed building of the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly and launched two other mega development projects. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Chaudhry Barjees Tahir, Marvi Memon and members of the GB Assembly and GB Council. During the briefing, the prime minister was apprised that the building of GB Legislative Assembly had been completed in 12 years at a cost of Rs 911.378 million.  The prime minister also launched work on the Gilgit-Nalter Expressway.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman said today that historic measures were taken by the federal government to give due rights and raise the living standard of the people of GB. Talking to a private news channel, he said that promulgated Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, would revolutionize the whole region and would make GB government equally powerful like other provincial governments and grant similar basic rights to the GB residents. He said under the order that had replaced GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order of 2009, all powers would rest with the GB Assembly and there would be no discrimination between the fundamental rights, enjoyed by the residents of other provinces and those of the GB. The CM said that under the new order, all the subjects which had been devolved to provinces under 18th Constitutional Amendment would also stand devolved to GB.

He said now GB Governor would be from within the territory and the judges and the chief justice of the high court would also be locals. Like other provinces, the provincial civil service structure would also be established for GB to employ the locals for public service. Moreover, the GB would also be given quota in Pakistan Civil Service, he said. He told that after now, the Chief Secretaries would be given all powers so that the people would not need to visit Islamabad for resolution of their issues. He thanked the federal government for taking measures for empowering the government and the people of GB.

ii) Minister for Building and Roads Gilgit-Baltistan, Dr Iqbal today said all the ongoing development projects would be completed within scheduled time frame. The minister said there were several development projects including Astore highway, Gorikot link road, Parishing and Musk power projects underway in the area which would usher socio-economic development of GB. He said Executive Engineer B&R Surder Alam and Executive Engineer Water and power Fayyaz Alam had been instructed to put in place a robust monitoring system to ensure quality work on these projects and completed them by end of the current year. He said contractors and executive engineers had been directed to submit the progress report on weekly basis. Strict action would be taken in line with relevant laws for unnecessarily delaying in any of the development projects, he added. He vowed to make Astore city as a model in terms of socio-economic development adding that all possible measures would be taken for resolving problems of the area. (10th of May 2018). 

iii) Minister of Tourism for Gilgit-Baltistan Fida Khan thanked Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the cooperation to organize a three-day Cultural Festival of Gilgit-Baltistan in the Walled City. Talking to PTV, he said the objective of holding the cultural festival in Lahore was to introduce GB culture and grabbing the attention of national and international investors and the business community. He said GB had great opportunities for investment in different sectors including fruits, dry fruits, organic food and gems and jewellery, adding that many investors had shown their interest in investment in these sectors. The minister held that full of scenic beauty GB was rich in natural resources but we need to explore them.