Road to recognition: Provisional constitutional status demanded for G-B

Action committee chalks out roadmap for region’s legal footing

GILGIT: The legal fraternity of Gilgit-Baltistan has called for a provisional constitutional status for the region.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Saturday, G-B Bar Council Vice President Shehbaz Khan said the conclusion has been reached after “hectic deliberations”.

“The ruling will allow representation from G-B in both the Upper and Lower houses of Pakistan,” he said.

Shehbaz added the proposal was the outcome of a two-day moot arranged by the Lawyers Action Committee – a forum consisting legal practitioners from the Supreme Appellate Court bar and other local associations of lawyers. “This will not harm Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and at the same time ensure the voice of G-B is heard,” he said.

The bar council office-bearer said another option is to grant G-B a status similar to that of Azad Kashmir.

‘Equal to insult’

A day earlier, Shehbaz had told journalists at Gilgit Press Club that leaving the constitutional status of G-B untouched is tantamount to insulting the sacrifices rendered by its people for the country. He said ever since Pakistan gained independence, those ruling G-B have virtually treated it like a colony, denying its people control over their own resources.

“This has aggravated the sense of deprivation, especially amongst the youth,” he said.

Shehbaz criticised G-B Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009, saying an order of this nature can be issued by any officer and does not guarantee a constitutional status for the region. He urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to intervene and ensure the matter is addressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2015.