Govt weighs NFC-based financial framework for Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Friday that consultations on the constitutional and legal status of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) were under way, while the federal government was considering an arrangement to give the region a share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. The federal government currently provides annual financial grants to GB, while successive governments in the region have demanded a share in the NFC award. The federal minister said broad consultations would be held on GB’s future administrative and constitutional arrangement and all relevant stakeholders would be taken on board. According to the Ministry of Law and Jus­tice, Senator Tarar invited GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate and Leader of the Opposition Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman to the next meeting of the GB Issues Working Group.

GB Assembly backs AJK-style arrangement after CM gets cabinet approval The meeting, chaired by Senator Tarar, was attended by officials from GB, the ministries of defence, foreign affairs, and Kashmir Affairs and GB, as well as the GB Council. It discussed constitutional, legal, financial and administrative issues and reviewed previous reports, possible constitutional options and proposals for strengthening GB’s financial resources. Participants also examined practical reforms within the existing governance framework. Senator Tarar directed the working group to formulate practical proposals and prepare an interim report, along with recommendations, for the main committee. He said more time would be required to reach an agreed constitutional and legal solution, stressing that national consensus was essential. Protecting the rights of GB’s people and ensuring their sense of equality, he added, remained a priority.…