Getting oppressive ‘reforms’ sanctioned through these bodies is very unfair for the people of G-B
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to the controversial appointments of inducting seven more members into the caretaker cabinet of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). In Pakistan, the centre is often seen to manipulate affairs in smaller entities in order to cement its political stature. Legislative assembly elections in G-B are expected in May 2015. Meanwhile, the centre is compromising the region’s autonomy by gnawing upon G-B’s Empowerment and Self-governance Order of 2009, by urging reforms through the caretaker government, even though the role of caretaker bodies is to carry out free and fair elections. Getting oppressive ‘reforms’ sanctioned through these bodies is very unfair for the people of G-B, who are known to have liberal and autonomous preferences. The people of the administrative region have been constantly protesting the malpractices of the government but little attention is paid to their plight.
Moreover, in demanding fair democratic practices, the people of G-B are hoping that the election commission of G-B will ensure that no electoral rigging takes place, which has been the case in the past. They are hoping that the new regime will eradicate the gigantic evils of corruption, lack of law and order and sectarianism, which have plagued the progress and peace of the administrative region for decades.
Abrar Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2015.
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