The Federal Cabinet is reported to hold a discussion today regarding the provincial status of the popular northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Cabinet previously held talks to determine the status of the acclaimed tourist hub but the decision was refuted in 2016. Now the door for conversation has re-opened and the panel will commence today.
With a glimpse on Instagram it is apparent that Northern Pakistan has become quite the tourist attraction, being a popular spot due to the surreal view and purity of nature. As the industry has opened up in Pakistan gradually, the best place to travel before the cold winters would be up north to the mountains, both an affordable and accessible place to visit amidst the ongoing pandemic.
At the discussion Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, leader of the opposition Shahbaz Sharif, and the Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah were present. Of the situation, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, said that the Federal Government had decided to ‘elevate’ the status of Gilgit-Baltistan to a provincial one with constitutional rights, according to Pakistan Today. According to the Minister, Prime Minister Imran Khan will make a formal announcement about the decision in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The legislative decision seems to learn towards granting Gilgit-Baltistan a fully-fledged provincial status, therefore giving it more representation in Pakistan as well.