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Cabinet approves ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009’

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Vesak Day observed at UN to honour Buddha; Pakistan pays tributes -

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (APP): Speakers at function marking “Vesak Day” that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha paid high tributes to the spiritual leader’s teaching on the need for compassion and solidarity with those less fortunate. They also highlighted Buddha’s message of peace and tolerance, with Pakistan UN Ambassador Masood Khan calling for resolving conflicts and disputes justly; and addressing the root causes of strife and hostilities.

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UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (APP): The top U.N.official in Afghanistan strongly condemned the “terrorist attack” on a compound of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kabul that earlier Friday wounded three of the agency’s staff, one seriously. One staff member from the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) was also injured, according to a statement issued by Jan Kubis, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

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ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP): The Pakistan Football Federation has decided to hold National Under-16 Football Championship-2013 at Arifwala, District Pakpattan from June 7-17 instead of Okara Football Academy on May 31. A total of 12 teams will compete in this Championship in which eight teams are from Provincial and Regional Teams like Punjab Football Association, KP Football Association, Balochistan Football Association, Sindh Football Association, Islamabad Football Association, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Football Association, FATA Football Association and Gilget Baltistan Football Association) and 3 Youth Coaches Teams from (Karachi, Quetta, Lahore and Peshawar), said a press release here Friday.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Chief of the Naval Staff Amateur Golf Cup will commence from Friday at Margalla Greens Golf Club (MGGC) Islamabad. The best amateur golfers around the country including senior, junior and ladies category will feature in the three-day event. The opening ceremony of the event was held on Thursday at Margalla Greens Golf Club Islamabad. Rear Admiral Athar Mukhtar, Patron PN Golf and Vice President Margalla Greens Golf Club was the chief guest on the occasion. The main match would be played amongst amateurs over 54 holes during the three days 18 holes each day. Amateurs with handicap 12 and below will participate in the match. It has been decided to give the participation rights to all those having the handicap up to 12 strokes.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) will pay tributes to former Director General Pakistan Sports Board, late Syed Zakir Hussain by holding the 45th National Athletics Championships in his memory. The National Athletics Championship will explode into action on Friday at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad. Speaking at a press conference President AFP Lt. Gen. (Retd) Akram Sahi said that late Syed Zakir Hussain was an outstanding sports administrator, sports lover and writer and throughout his life had a positive and principled approach towards the promotion of national sports in the country.

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Cabinet approves ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009’

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): The Cabinet on Saturday approved a self‑governance reforms package for the country’s Northern Areas aimed at giving it full internal autonomy besides changing its nomenclature to Gilgit Baltistan. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while addressing a press conference here announced the Cabinet’s decision of ‘Gilgit‑Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009’ that will replace the earlier ‘Northern Areas’ Legal Framework Order 1994’.

The specially convened meeting of the Cabinet unanimously approved the Order’s draft after being discussed with all the stake holders.

The Prime Minister said a high‑powered Committee under the chairmanship of Minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas (KANA) prepared the reforms package to provide autonomy to the area.

He mentioned that all major improvements for Northern Areas were made during the period of Pakistan Peoples Party including the first Northern Areas Council Legal Framework Order 1974‑75 by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and further democratization through Northern Areas Legal Framework Order 1994 by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

Giving details of the Order’s salient features, Gilani said the Gilgit‑Baltistan Assembly will formulate its own Rules of Procedures, while legislation on various subjects pertinent to governance will be done by the Council and Assembly in their respective jurisdiction.

Prime Minister said the area would be given full rights as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, however it could not be given provincial status as per the Constitution.

Regarding any impact on the UN document about on Northern Areas, Gilani said both Foreign Office and the AJK President had been taken onboard before the decision.

To a question, he said the Council did not need parliament’s shelter as it had its own Rules of Business, while Boundary Commission had already been constituted. He said election of Chief Minister will be held in mid November.

Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for KANA said the approved Order will be sent to President Asif Ali Zardari for final consent.

The Prime Minister said the New Order has fifteen major parts, while the new name of Northern Areas of Pakistan shall be Gilgit‑Baltistan as proposed under Article‑2(f).

He said there shall be a Governor of Gilgit‑Baltistan as proposed under Article‑20 and shall be appointed by the President of Pakistan. Till the election of the new legislative Assembly, Federal Minister for KANA will act as Governor.

He said the Chief Minister will be elected by the Gilgit‑Baltistan Legislative Assembly, who will be assisted by six ministers. There shall be a provision of two advisors to the Chief Minister.

Gilani said the Legislative assembly will have directly elected 24 members, besides six women and three technocrats seats.

He said the decision will empower the Gilgit‑Baltistan Council and Assembly to make laws. The subject under which the Assembly shall now have power to make law has increased from 49 to 61 while the Council shall have 55 subjects.

The Prime Minister said in order to empower the Council and the Assembly on financial matters, there shall be a Council Consolidated Fund under article 54, and Gilgit‑Baltistan Consolidated Fund under article 55.

Regarding annual budget, he said a detailed item‑wise budget shall be presented before the Gilgit‑Baltistan Assembly as being practiced in Pakistan and shall be accordingly voted upon as suggested in article 56.

The Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the Advice of the Governor and other Judges shall be appointed by the Chairman on the Advice of Governor after seeking views of the Chief Judge, he added.

He said the Chief Judge and Judges of the Chief Court shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of the Governor on the same pattern as it is being practiced in AJK.

He mentioned that number of judges had been increased from three to five. The tenure of the present judges of the Supreme Judiciary has been protected in the draft.

Another step forward to empower the people of the areas, the Prime Minister said is the establishment of Gilgit‑Baltistan Public Service Commission and Gilgit‑Baltistan Services under Article‑80 and 81.

He said Auditor General Gilgit‑Baltistan will be appointed by the Governor on the advice of Council as the case in AJK.

He said there shall be a Chief Election Commissioner under Article‑82 as well as Auditor General besides emergency provisions under article‑83 and 87 respectively.

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