Pakistani politicians welcome decision to make Northern Areas autonomous

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KARACHI — Political parties and religious organisations in Pakistan have welcomed the government’s decision to make the Northern Areas (NAs) – which will be referred to as “Gilgit-Baltistan” – autonomous. The NAs border Afghanistan to the north, China to the north-east, Pakistan-administrated Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to the south, and India-administered J&K to the south-east. About 1 million people live the area comprising almost 73,000 square km.

“The government has fulfilled a long-standing [desire] of NAs people,” Information Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party Fouzia Wahab said. Gilgit-Baltistan will soon have its own governor, chief minister, cabinet and legislative assembly and other administrative agencies.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani announced autonomy for the Northern Areas on Aug. 29 under the recently adopted Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Ordinance of 2009.

“Autonomy for the NAs will pave [the] way for rapid economic development,” said Pakistan Muslim League Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal. The government should extend maximum financial and technical support to establish Gilgit-Baltistan governmental capabilities, he added.

“It is a good decision that reflects the wishes of the people of the NAs,” Awami National Party President Shahid Syed said, claiming the decision will also promote harmony among the people of Pakistan. The NAs were the least developed area of Pakistan and were neglected in the past, but the establishment of Gilgit-Baltistan will go a long way to change all that, he added.

“The NAs are famous for tourism and should be developed to attract both domestic and foreign visitors,” said Chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami party Syed Munawar Ali. “The people of Pakistan have welcomed the government’s decision of giving autonomy to the NAs,” he asserted.