Gilgit Baltistan

To provide greater political empowerment and better government to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009 was promulgated on 9th September, 2009 which was hailed by the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Under the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009 -Signed by president Asif Ali Zardari on September 7, 2009-- the identity of the region was restored by changing the name from 'Northern Areas' to 'Gilgit-Baltistan'. As part of its administrative and legislative decentralization, the offices of Governor, Chief Minister, and Ministers have been created.

On the pattern of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Council, a Gilgit-Baltistan Council headed by the Prime Minister has been introduced. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is delegated with the powers of approving budget. The concept of a Consolidated Fund has been introduced and legislative powers of the Assembly have been increased from 49 to 61 subjects, along with powers to legislate on the other subjects not in the domain of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council.

Ministry of Finance provided Rs. 100 million to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan for the flood affectees in Upper Hunza River. In February, 2012 FWO succeeded in reducing the lake level through controlled blasting at Attaabad, Hunza. Block allocation for Gilgit-Baltistan has been Rs. 15617 million, for development purposes during the period of Democratic Government.

The Federal government took special initiatives for Gilgit-Baltistan in order to bring them at par with the rest of the country which include:.

1.      Appointment of 5,000 police officials

2.      100% increase in the salaries of Gilgit-Baltistan police force

3.      Monthly financial support for 50,000 households under Benazir Income Support Program

4.      Royalty of Diamer-Bhasha Dam for local people

5.      PSDP mega projects worth Rs.10 billion

PM’s 10-Point Development Package

                     Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani also announced a special 10-Point Development Package for the economic well being of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

1.      Doubling the vehicle fleet of Northern Areas Transport Company(NATCO)

2.      Improvement of the Sots Dry Port to enhance trade links with China

3.      Expansion of Gilgit and Skardu airports

4.      Reopening of Agriculture Development Bank and National Bank of Pakistan regional offices

5.      Establishment of the National Vocational and Technical Education Commission bureau in Gilgit for skills development

6.      Minimum wage rate fixed at Rs.6,000

7.      Subsidy over 150,000 metric ton wheat

8.      Research Centre for the Development of Horticulture

9.      Allocation of Rs.5.5 billion for institutional capacity-building

10.  Building of cold storage centres for 55 varieties of locally produced cherry