First ever session of GB Council in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: The first ever session of Gilgit Baltistan Council, after more than eight months of its establishment, held in Islamababad on Friday. Anaugurating the session, the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani announced to constitute a committee to retify the anomilies in the implimentation of Gilgit Baltistan Order 2009.

“If there are any anomalies in the implementation of the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2009, then a Committee could be constituted representing all stakeholders to rectify the same,” the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister said Gilgit-Baltistan Council was the supreme authority for the coordination and working of all arrangements involving the government of Pakistan. He urged the Gilgit-Baltistan Council to formulate realistic plans for transformation of the area into a developed and forward-looking region of the country.

The Prime Minister described the Empowerment Order 2009, as “a quantum leap in the political history of Pakistan” and reflective of the maturity and wisdom of the representatives of all the political parties.

Meanwhile, the council approved the first ever budget of Rs. 223.268 million. In the legislation process, the council passed four bills: The Gilgit Baltistan Council Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2010; The Members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) Bill, 2010; The Gilgit-Baltistan Council Civil Servants (Adaptation) Bill, 2010 and the Gilgit-Baltistan Adaptation of Laws Bill, 2010.


Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo as Minister Incharge of Gilgit-Baltistan Council Secretariat also presented before the Council three Motions for approval of the Council.

The first related to “Taxation Policy” of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Policy was approved in principal and it was decided that a Committee be formed to examine the proposals and give its recommendations.

The details of the same would subsequently be finalized by the Council in consultation with the relevant organizations of the Ministry of Finance and submitted for the approval of the Chairman.

A Special Committee was formed on the second Motion regarding adaptation of laws/ordinances of Pakistan by the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, which are already extended and need to be extended under the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009. Amjad Hussain, Member, Gilgit-Baltistan Council was unanimously chosen as Chairman of the Special Committee.Other members will be,Ibadat Ali,Prof Ghulam Hussain,Ms Sherry Rehman,MNA.

The second Special Committee formed to examine and give recommendations regarding the mode of management of departments whose subject/functions are assigned to the Gilgit-Baltistan Council will be headed by Muhammad Ibrahim while the other members of the Committee would be Saeed Afzal, Attaullah Khan, Engr Usman Khan Tarakai, MNA, M Tariq Tarar, MNA and Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan as co-opted member.

The Council unanimously elected Amjad Hussain as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Gilgit-Baltistan Council. The other members would be selected by the Council Secretariat from amongst the Members of the Council through consensus.

The Chairman directed the Council to form a Standing Committee through mutual consultation for better coordination and liaison of the Council with various Ministries/organizations of the Government of Pakistan. APP

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