CM Gulbar Khan seeks provincial status for G-B

Chief minister meets MQM-P leadership in Karachi

KARACHI:

Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Gulbar Khan said on Friday that it was decided during the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government the region would be made an interim province but the proposal was never implemented.

Talking to the media after a meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Farooq Sattar and other leaders, Khan demanded a share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, like other provinces.

Gulbar Khan said that in his meeting with MQM-P leaders, they discussed the constitutional status of G-B. He appreciated Dr Farooq Sattar for speaking for the G-B people. "Just as other provinces of Pakistan are getting rights, we should also get the same rights," he said.

"It is a long-standing demand of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan that like other provinces of Pakistan, we also get due rights," the chief minister stated. "During the PTI government, a decision was taken to create an interim province and a draft was also prepared in this regard but it was never implemented."

The chief minister thanked the MQM-P for representing the rights of the people of G-B.

"Our contacts will continue and we will work together in the future as well," he said. Dr Sattar, reciprocated the sentiments, saying: "We are in constant contact with Gilgit-Baltistan in all matters."

Farooq Sattar said that every citizen had equal rights in Pakistan, therefore, the people of G-B should also get equal rights and the region should be part of the NFC. "When we care about Azad Kashmir, we will not ignore the people of Gilgit-Baltistan."