ISLAMABAD: The
Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the federal government to submit a
report prepared by Sartaj Aziz, regarding the constitutional and administrative
future of the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The former government of Pakistan Muslim league Nawaz has
introduced a new administrative order prepared by Sartaj Aziz, this year
replacing the previous Gilgit Baltistan Order 2009.
The Supreme Court’s seven member bench, led by Chief Justice
Mian Saqib Nisar heard constitutional petition filed by Dr. Muhammad Abbas and
GB Bar Council.
The constitutional petition seeks the Supreme Court’s judgment
on the future of Gilgit-Baltistan, based on a 1999 verdict of the apex court,
which had directed the then federal government to extend full citizenship
rights to the citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan. A number of other cases related to
Gilgit-Baltistan are also being heard jointly, and simultaneously, because they
are of the same nature.
Other members of the bench included Justice Faisal Arab,
Justice Ejaz-ul-Hasan, Jastice Umer Atta Bandiyal, Justice Maqbool Baqir,
Justice Gulzar Ahmad, and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan.
During the hearing, counsel Salman Akram Raja said that
Gilgit-Baltistan has no relationship with Kashmir.
Justice Ejaz-ul-Hassan said that if India can give
‘provisional setup’ the Indian Occupied Kashmir, why can’t Pakistan do the same
in Gilgit-Baltistan?
The bench adjourned the hearing till November 1, the day GBians are set to celebrate their 71th independence from Dogra Raj.
The Gilgit-Baltsitan Bar Council is being represented by
Salman Ikram Raja, assisted by Advocate Javed Ahmad and Advocate Javed Iqbal of
the GB Bar Council. PT