Gilgit-Baltistan government has promulgated the Gilgit-Baltistan Order-2018, replacing the GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order of 2009.
The new order has been approved by the federal cabinet and a formal notification in this regard would be duly issued by President Mamnoon Hussain on the advice of the prime minister. After the formal approval by the federal cabinet and endorsement by the National Security Council, the GB Order-2018 has also been approved by the Gilgit-Baltistan Legis¬lative Assembly. As compared to 2009 empowerment act, the new order is considered as more comprehensive, wide-ranging and all-inclusive as the powers vested in the GB council, including passing legislation regarding mineral, hydropower and tourism sectors, have now been shifted to the GB Assembly.
It has been a cause of serious concern for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan that GB Council vested with all executive powers was more powerful than the region’s legislature. The people of the region had also serious reservations over the nomenclature of the council, which is heavily dominated by people from the federal government rather than people of the region. The concerns voiced by the people were genuine as the minister of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan used to be an uncrowned king of the region. The powers vested with chairman of the council were normally exercised by the minister of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Appreciating the decision the GB Law Minister Aurangzeb Khan and Adviser on Information Shams Mir said, “The new order is protected by the Constitution of Pakistan, which provides political, administrative, financial and judicial powers to GB. Mir said that under the reforms, all federal taxes had been suspended. “Now the GB people had all rights enjoyed by the people of four provinces of Pakistan”, he added. Aurangzeb Khan said the name of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly had been replaced with the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. “All powers exercised by the four provincial assemblies under Schedule IV of the Constitution of Pakistan had been entrusted to the GB Assembly”, he added.
Since the revamping of GB council has been the region’s long outstanding demand it is heartening to note that the new order has been formulated keeping in view the aspirations of the people of Gilgit Baltistan who went through trials and tribulations during their struggle for political emancipation. The promulgation of Gilgit-Baltistan Order-2018 will certainly go a long way to address both grievances and complaints of the people of the mountainous region in a more audacious manner besides improving their life standards and bringing them at par with people living in other provinces of Pakistan. The Federal government’s decision of granting five-year tax holiday to GB is also appreciable. It will hopefully be instrumental in enhancing local as well as foreign investment in the region, which is expected to generate employment opportunity in addition to contributing to local economy.