Gilani asks GB Council to transform area

       
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the Gilgit-Baltistan Council to formulate realistic plans for transformation of the area into a developed and forward-looking region of the country.Inaugurating the session of Gilgit-Baltistan Council, Gilani called for more attention to strengthening of institutional frameworks to promote good governance.The Prime Minister in his capacity as the Chairman of the Council extended and ensured all possible assistance to achieve the objectives of the 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,” he added.
The Prime Minister said Gilgit-Baltistan Council was the supreme authority for the coordination and working of all arrangements involving the government of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that representatives of the people would play a key role in the development of their area, set agenda for socio-economic development of Gilgit-Baltistan and also ensure fair and judicious distribution of resources.
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.
He said it has been designed to empower the people of the area to govern themselves through democratically elected representatives and also to have socio economic empowerment; which was the policy and long time commitment of the present government.
Gilani said Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009 empowers the people at a grassroots level, develops democratic traditions, respect for the rule of law, justice and human rights so as to bring them at par with other people of the provinces of Pakistan.
Gilani congratulated the public representatives and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan over the first-ever meeting of the Council and described it as a “historic and memorable occasion”.
He recalled that it was also the Peoples government under the dynamic leadership of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who introduced the first ever Administrative Order - “Northern Areas Legal Framework Order 1975” whereby major administrative, judicial and political institutions were established.
He also congratulated the representatives of all the political parties for their collective efforts to introduce the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009.
The meeting was attended by acting governor Gilgit-Baltistan Wazir Baig, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah and members of the GB Council.