INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
PPP terms GB package as insulting to the peopleKarachi: Giving powers of legislation to the bureaucracy in
Islamabad and brazenly denying the people their rights is an affront to the people of Gilgit Baltistan that will have far reaching
consequences for political stability.This has been stated by Bilawal Bhutto Zardarti in a statement soon after the Prime Minister Khaqan
Abbasi announced enforcement of the so called reforms package for Gilgit Baltistan today
parliament just passed a constitutional amendment bill taking away powers of President in respect of tribal areas to empower its people, he
said referring to the 31st constitutional amendment
Just the same time the federal government has ambushed the people GB by taking away their powers and vesting it in the Prime Minister, he
said.According to the so called reforms package the prime minister will not only make laws for GB but can also override any law passed by
package is a grave provocation and warned against the consequences of bull dozing it without taking the people and the GB Assembly into
confidence.Bilawal Bhutto assured the people of GB that the PPP will ensure that the right to legislate is vested in the GB Legislative
For all other matters enumerated in part 2 of the Federal Legislative List the national parliament and not the Prime Minister should make
legislation as is the case for all provinces, he said.The PPP cannot and will not allow the bureaucracy or any one individual to legislate
for GB, be that individual the Prime Minister of Pakistan.If the President can no longer legislate for the tribal areas why should the Prime
Minister legislate for the people of GB, he askedBilawal also questions sweeping restrictions on the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly on what to
discuss and what not to discuss and called it a grave violation of the fundamental rights of the people.All coercive laws including the one
citizenship saying that it opened the door for exploitation of the local people by the outsiders and called for its review.Furthermore, the
provision that only retired judges of the High Courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan are eligible to become Chief Judge of the Supreme
Appellate Court of GB means that no citizen of GB can ever become the Chief Judge, he said.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also demanded release of
rights activists like Baba Jan Hunzai and others and a halt to the taking over of shamilat lands by the state.
