Supreme Court of Pakistan restores Govt of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018
GILGIT: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has restored the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 effectively overruling a verdict of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to details, a bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, has accepted the federal government’s arguments against a decision of the Supreme Appellate of Gilgit-Baltistan, which had last month suspended, and then dismissed, the newly promulgated Govt of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018.
The Supreme Court’s Chief Justice has said that the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan should have the same rights as citizens of Pakistan.
The Govt of GB Order 2018, which accumulates all important powers and authorities in the office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, was strongly opposed, condemned and rejected by thousands of people across Gilgit-Baltistan. The GB assembly’s opposition members also opposed the Order, saying it gives imperial powers to the Prime Minister, who will not be answerable to anyone in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the GB Order 2018, the Prime Minister can reject any legislation made by the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, and the verdicts of the region’s courts will not be applicable to him. The Prime Minister of Pakistan will enjoy unparalleled impunity, despite of not being an elected leader of Gilgit-Baltistan.
It is pertinent to note that the Prime Minister of Pakistan is not elected by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, but he has de-facto authority over the region, which has now been enhanced and strengthened by the GB Order 2018.
