CM to be elected on December 11, Kaira
PT Report
Islamabad, December 8: According to a private TV channel the interim governor of Gilgit – Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, has said that GBLA would elect leader of the house on December 11. A number of candidates including Syed Mehdi Shah, Wazir Baig, Advocate Shakeel and Muhammad Ali Akhtar are prime candidates, according to party sources.
No name has yet been finalized, party sources told Pamir Times. However, Syed Mehdi Shah, a Jiyala since his youth, is the favorite candidate for the highest elected position of Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly.
Appointment of governor, still, is shrouded in mystery with Afzal Shigri, Nazir Sabir and some other possible public figures’ names being heard here and there in connection with governorship.
There is a general feeling of resentment and aggression against appointment of non – local governor. However, Chaudhary Manzoor’s name is also being taken among people considered for governorship.
My All time support and wish is with Mr.Nazir Sabir “National Hero and internationally Known figure” ,and he richly deserve this position of Governorship at all cost!
Mirzaw
RWP
Mr. Shigri is far best candidate for governership. I know Mr. Nazir for last almost a decade (being in the same business) he’s quite a different personality (being a hero, he’s of course respected).
There are rumors, that Ch. Manzoor is being selected for Governership, is it true? Anyone has updated information?
Wazir Baig sahib should be elected the CM, because in that slot he fits ideally. Mr. Medhi is not suitable talking of merits. If being a jiala is the only merit, then, I’m sorry, I can’t comment.
As per practice in the other province,the CM is the leader of the House, which means that the Governor invites the leader of the majority party in the Assemblyfor the formation of Government. It is the House,which elects its leader. So,PPP being in majority has the previlige to nominate its provincial President or any other elected member for the slot of CM.
The appointment of Governor is entirely a different story. The Governor is appointed by the President of Pakistan and not elected by the Assembly. He holds Office at the pleasure of the Prsident. Being the nominee of the Federal Government,he represents the central Government and it is not essential that he would be local of the area. In other Provinces,it doesn’t matter whether the Governor is local or not as he is a nominal head of the province. The real powers rest with the CM.
Dr. Rahim,
Ideally speaking, you are correct. Please comment on the following:
1) Has the area been declared a province? no it has not.
2) If you read the GB order (provided by PT) powers which are enjoyed by CMs of other provinces, the GB CM does not even have 2/3 of those powers.
3) If the governor is not from GB, it really defeats the concept of empowerment as in the case of GB, ALL powers rest with the governor. Here, the CM is toothless.
4) The federation will obviously nominate or continue Mr. Kaira.
Uyum sahib, very well said:-)
Dear Uym
Yes, G-B is not a full-fledged province. I had discussed it in detail in my comments on GBLA order a few days ago. The real powers rest with the council headed by Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Governor is simply the vice chairman and the Minister of Kashmir is incharge minister of the council. To me it seems that we have been provided old wine in new bottle.
Efforts should be continued for full province-hood and provincial autonomy and you know that even in Pakistan,we don’t have full provincial autonomy. However, our leaders can make the best of whatever has been given to them. I am not against local being Governor. Don’t misconstrue me.I am simply stating the fact and also I don’t see much power of the Governor under the package.
Dear Mr. Rahim,
Thank you for your educated response.
Like you very rightly stated, we have indeed been provided old wine in a new bottle. So then why are educated and respected people like yourself going all gung-ho about the present set up?
If the government actually wanted to give you the powers, it should not have created the council. The CM & Governor (locals) should have been enough to administer the area. The council being set up consists of 6 federal ministers and 6 members from GB. That only goes to show how much relevance or trust the govt is ready to impose on the area. If the package was sincere, then you should have representation in the senate/assembly otherwise an AJK like set up should have been selected.
Unfortunately our elected representatives are more loyal to their own parties than their own area. They will follow the party manifestos, which in all the essence will not allow ‘province-hood’.
Bottom line, this package is an eye wash, and the government does not have any plans to empower you for the simple reason that they do not trust you, hence the non-local governor and creation of the council under the PM.
I think there is no difference between that a Punjabi whether directly rule the area or Punjabi after getting marriage and involve in local politics.
Dear UYM/Karamat
Yes now you are very right. I have not gone gung-ho about the present setup as mentioned in your piece. Despite making it clear to you in my piece,you are still saying this. I consider the package as a first step towards our ultimate goal. We have to go a long way struggling. The local counterparts of Pakistani political parties are dancing to tune played by Islamabad. It is the establishment at Islamabad pulling the string of local puppet.I am glad that young men like you are now critically examining every thing.
AS FPR AS THE MERIT IS CONCERN SYED MEHDI IS AT THE END OF THE LIST ,,,,HE IS NOT SUITABLE EVEN FOR AS AN ASSEMBLY MEMBER,,,AND YOU ARE DISCUSSING HIM AS A CM…
BUT HERE WE ARE NOT CONCERNING WITH THE MERIT ,,INFACT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PPP POWERSSSSSSSSSSSSS,SO SYED MEHDI IS THE BEST BY THIS PROCEDURE ,,,ISNT IT????????????????