GILGIT: The combined opposition in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) on Monday rejected the proposed draft of political and administrative reforms package named ‘the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, which is going to replace the existing ‘GB Empowerment and Self Governance Order, 2009.

Though the reforms package has yet to be approved by the federal government, it has been circulated among the stakeholders.

The opposition parties announced organising a joint protest demonstration in Gilgit on May 12 against the proposed reforms.

Addressing a joint press conference in Gilgit, opposition leader in GBLA Mohammad Shafi Khan, GBLA member of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Raja Jahanzeb Khan, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Javed Hussain, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen Pakistan’s Bibi Salima and independent member Kacho Imtiaz Haider said the proposed reform package was as an attempt to curtail the powers of GBLA in the name of empowerment, and was tantamount to direct rule from Islamabad.

They announced to resist any step to be taken by the federal government without first settling the constitutional status of the region and meeting their longstanding demand of representation in the Parliament of Pakistan.

Mr Shafi said highlighted that under the existing GB governance order there were two legislation schedules under which GBLA had the power to legislate on 43 subjects, while GB Council had power to legislate on 64 subjects, but under the proposed package, the two legislation schedules had been combined into single schedule with transferring entire legislative powers on all subjects to the prime minister of Pakistan.

Mr Shafi expressed fear that intention of shifting powers from GB to Islamabad was aimed at imposing illegal taxes on the disputed territory and grabbing the lands of locals.

“A parliamentary committee led by Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, was established in October 2015 by the ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, which had prepared recommendations for GB reforms,” he said, demanding that recommendations of the committee should be implemented in letter and spirit.

On the occasion, PTI’s Raja Jahanzeb said the proposed reforms package was being imposed on GB without consulting its people, which would not be accepted at any cost.

PPP’s Javed Hussain said the proposed reforms draft was a conspiracy against CPEC project.

He said the GB people had been denied their constitutional rights for last seven decades.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2018