ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that consultations on the constitutional and legal matters of Gilgit-Baltistan are underway, with broad discussions planned on the region’s future administrative and constitutional arrangements.
Tarar said all relevant stakeholders would be taken on board during the consultation process. He has also invited the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition of Gilgit-Baltistan to participate in the next meeting so their views can be considered.
GB Issues Working Group Reviews Key Matters
The meeting of the GB Issues Working Group was held on Friday under the chairmanship of the federal law minister at the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Officials from Gilgit-Baltistan, the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Gilgit-Baltistan Council attended the meeting.
Participants held detailed discussions on the region’s constitutional, legal, financial and administrative matters.
Various options and previous reports concerning Gilgit-Baltistan’s constitutional and legal affairs were reviewed. The meeting also considered different proposals and models for strengthening the region’s financial resources.
Governance Reforms Also Discussed
The working group reviewed possibilities for practical reforms within the existing governance framework of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Tarar said the region’s constitutional matters would be examined comprehensively and that its financial, administrative and constitutional issues would be considered in an integrated manner.
He directed the working group to develop practical and workable proposals for addressing the issues facing Gilgit-Baltistan.
The minister also instructed the group to prepare an interim report with recommendations following comprehensive deliberations and submit it to the main committee.
National Consensus Considered Essential
Tarar said more time would be required to develop an agreed constitutional and legal solution for Gilgit-Baltistan.
He reiterated that broad consultations would be held regarding the region’s future administrative and constitutional arrangements and that all relevant stakeholders would be taken into confidence.
The federal minister stressed that national consensus is essential on the constitutional matters of Gilgit-Baltistan and said the views of all relevant parties should be duly considered.
He said the participation of the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister and opposition leader in the next meeting would help incorporate their perspectives into the ongoing consultation process.
Tarar added that protecting the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and ensuring their sense of equality remains a top government priority.