Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Friday said Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) will get the same powers being enjoyed by the other provinces, a private TV channel reported.

A seven-judge larger bench headed by the chief justice heard a case pertaining to the constitutional status of GB.

As the hearing started, the attorney general presented an interim draft proposal pertaining to GB. “We need time to complete the draft. We are giving powers pertaining to lawmaking and administration and have tried to implement the constitution of Pakistan in the draft. We cannot make GB a separate province but can grant it all provincial powers,” he told the court.

The chief justice remarked, “This is commendable. GB residents say they are not being granted the powers.” At this, the GB deputy advocate general informed the bench, “This draft has not been presented before us as yet. We should be permitted to present our recommendations as well.” The attorney general responded, “We are trying to accept all demands of GB residents.”

Justice Nisar then remarked, “I believe that all provincial powers should be granted. GB will be given the same powers that have been granted to other provinces.”

The bench directed that a meeting be called in this regard at the attorney general’s office. The court also formed a committee which will be headed by the attorney general to finalise the draft bill. The committee will comprise Aitzaz Ahsan, Salman Akran Raja, Chaudhry Afrasiab Advocate, GB law minister and secretary Kashmir affairs.

Published in Daily Times, December 8^th 2018.