G-B okays job quota for army martyrs' families

Move meant to pay tribute to the fallen heroes for their supreme sacrifices in safeguarding country's defence

In a move aimed at honouring the sacrifices of Pakistan Army martyrs, the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Friday unanimously approved a resolution on allocating a quota in government jobs for their families.

The house also paid glowing tributes to the fallen heroes for their supreme sacrifices in safeguarding the nation’s defence, sovereignty, and integrity.

The resolution, moved by Minister for Interior Shamsul Haq Lone and read out by Colonel (retd) Obaidullah Baig, called for amending the G-B Services Rules to formally implement the job quota. Minister for Science and Technology Suraiya Zaman endorsed the motion by signing it.

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During the session, dozens of martyrs’ family members, as well as President of the Shuhada Foundation Gilgit-Baltistan Bahadur Jamil, were present in the VIP gallery. Members of the House lauded the courage and commitment of the armed forces, particularly those from G-B who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The resolution received unanimous backing from both treasury and opposition benches, including Opposition Leader Syed Kazim Mesam, Minister for Food, Engineer Anwar Khan; Minister for Education, Agha Shehzad Javaid; former minister Jamil Ahmed; and members Sohail Abbas, Sheikh Akbar Rajani, Kulsoom Farman, Ayub Waziri, Sanam Faryad, and Raja Zakaria.

The text of the resolution read: “This House acknowledges with pride and gratitude the sacrifices of the brave sons of G-B who gave their lives for the defence and sovereignty of Pakistan. Their selflessness and service will forever be remembered with utmost respect.”

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The Assembly urged the G-B government to allocate the special quota under the Army Shuhada Family Assistance Package, ensuring recruitment on merit and in line with the existing service rules to provide dignified employment opportunities for the martyrs’ families.

Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate termed the martyrs 'the pride and most precious asset of the nation', stressing that their families must be treated with the highest respect and institutional recognition.

He directed the government to immediately amend relevant service laws and issue a notification for implementation. At the end of the session, lawmakers met the families of the martyrs in the VIP gallery, and paid heartfelt tribute to their sacrifices.