Counter-reaction: Mainstream parties shun reservations over self-governance order

Claim the fault lies with the rulers, not the legislation itself.

GILGIT: Leaders of mainstream political parties in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) shunned the reservations of religious parties against the G-B Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009, claiming the fault lies with the rulers and not the system itself.

“There is nothing written against any sect in the legislation, so we will not support any struggle on sectarian lines,” said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) regional head Hafizur Rahman on Wednesday.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Ahle Sunnat Waljamat (ASWJ) on Tuesday observed a ‘token strike’ in parts of G-B against the 2009 legislation, asking authorities to revoke it and amalgamate G-B with Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). They alleged the order and the chief minister were both biased and favoured a particular sect.

Some nationalist parties also joined the protest, carrying banners and convening rallies in valleys, including Ghizer and Diamer. The government shut down all educational institutions, markets, cellular services and the Karakoram Highway due to the protest as a precautionary measure on Tuesday.

Rehman blamed G-B Chief Minister (CM) Mehdi Shah and his cabinet for mismanagement, bad governance and rampant corruption, saying it had stained the reputation of the legislation. However, Rehman acknowledged registering a protest was the legal right of any party.

Independent lawmaker Didar Ali said he supported the legislation because it was in the region’s best interest. “The order is not carved in stone. It can be improved by sitting together, but not by issuing decrees against it and launching strikes,” said Ali, who was recently inducted into CM Shah’s cabinet as a minister. “We want G-B to be made the fifth constitutional province of Pakistan,” he added.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) senior leader and lawmaker Rahmat Khaliq also rejected the demand to revoke the order, but said his party will not oppose any amendments if proposed.

Self-Governance Order 2009 paved the way for the first elections ever to be held in G-B. As a result, a chief minister and governor were elected.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2013.