Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday stated that the government will grant complete constitutional rights and the status of province to Gilgit Balitstan (GB) soon — a news source reported. An official announcement on the matter is expected to be made by Prime Minister Imran Khan during his upcoming visit to the region.
Minister Gandapur made these comments while talking to a delegation of journalists from GB. He stated that after the area had been granted provincial status, GB would be given representation in the parliament and accorded with all the constitutional rights reserved for a province of the country. He added that the decision had been made, in principle, after consultation with all the relevant stakeholders.
The minster further underlined the fact that the provincial status would not mean that the federal government would be withdrawing the tax exemptions or subsidies provided on wheat for the region — with this support expected to continue till the hardships faced by the local population have been resolved.
Minister Gandapur additionally revealed that the government was also taking various measures for the development of the region. The work on the Moqpondass Special Economic Zone is expected to be initiated soon, while concurrent measures to improve health, tourism, transport and education facilities will also be introduced in due time.
