GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Mehdi Shah has leveled strong criticism against the federal government’s apathy on granting constitutional rights to the region, blaming it for the area’s stunted development.
According to a press release issued on Sunday, Shah lauded the sacrifices made for the county by the people of G-B over the last six decades. “I can rightly say that our sacrifices have not been acknowledged,” he said.
In 1947, G-B was annexed and unconditionally offered to Pakistan after being liberated from Dogra Raj. However, the widespread attention given to the Kashmir issue left its status undefined and deprived the people of G-B from representation in parliament.
“Whenever elections take place in G-B, all major political party heads show up in Gilgit to conduct campaigns,” Shah said. “However, they have always remained silent when it comes to granting constitutional rights to the region.”
The chief minister held the constitutional status responsible for backwardness in the region, stated the press release. He insisted that if the people of G-B had been allowed to vote for parliament, the rulers would have adopted a completely different approach to them.
Shah claimed the federal government did not want to invest in the region.
“It has not capitalised on G-B’s potential to produce 55,000 megawatts of power for the same reason,” the chief minister said.
According to the press release, Shah also advised the government to opt for Kalabagh Dam if it is not interested in the Diamer-Bhasha Dam.
Demands for constitutional rights for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) have intensified with elections around the corner. The G-B government completes its five-year term on December 10 and elections for the legislative assembly will be held next year.http://tribune.com.pk/story/796046/g-b-cm-slams-federal-govts-apathy-over-civil-rights/
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