Dastgir rejects Indian criticism of Gilgit-Baltistan Order

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir on Wednesday rejected India’s claim over Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and criticism of the recent order in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The federal minister was addressing officers at the Battalion Headquarters of Gayari sector during a visit to the Siachin Glacier region.

“The government and the people of Pakistan reject categorically India’s claim over Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and its baseless protest against Pakistan’s recent Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018.

“The nation supports wholeheartedly its valiant troops guarding the nation’s mountain frontiers in most challenging conditions,” he said.

The minister laid a floral wreath and offered fateha at the Gayari Monument erected to commemorate the 124 soldiers of the Pakistan Army, along with 11 civilians, who embraced martyrdom in a fatal avalanche in April 2012.

Commander Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) escorted him on a detailed aerial survey of strategic valleys, logistics chain, and army posts ranging to above 20,000 feet. The commander received the minister upon arrival at Skardu, and gave an area orientation briefing.

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On Sunday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 will give the people of the region the same basic rights as other citizens of Pakistan.

He said that Gilgit-Baltistan has been granted permission to have its own civil services and it will also be given a quota in the Civil services of Pakistan.

Under the GB Order 2018, the rights will be in the hands of the chief secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan including the right of spending central funds. The role of the federal government will be only limited to giving proposals.

Referring to the 18th amendment, Abbasi said Gilgit-Baltistan is now entitled to enjoy the rights similar to other provinces. Governors, judges of high courts and chief justice of the province can also be picked from Gilgit-Baltistan.

PM Abbasi also inaugurated various development projects including the newly-constructed Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.