Delegation of semi-autonomous powers to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the biggest achievements of the present government. This, no doubt, is a fruitful effort towards delegation of administrative powers to the people of this land of 200 million inhabitants, spreading over 27,000 kms of area.
This act on the part of Pakistan is one step forward to meet her international commitment to let the people of Jammu and Kashmir to serve their land at autonomous level. Being the key parties to Kashmir dispute, India and Pakistan, under the umbrella of the UN, have committed to empower the people of ex-state of Jammu and Kashmir to serve their internal affairs till the final settlement of the dispute. Accordingly, Indian-occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir have set up of their convenience since long. Contrary to this, Gilgit-Baltistan remained unnamed for the last six decades.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order-2009, aimed at introducing administrative, political, economic and judicial reforms in the region. In order to materialise these reforms, Gilgit-Baltistan went through an electoral process in November last and nominated an elected legislative assembly and "chief minister" for the last over 3 months. Interestingly, no governor, as required under the order, has yet to be appointed. A number of prominent notables, including ex-IGP of Sindh Police Afzal Ali Shigri, Mir of Hunza Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, former Justice Khurshid Khan, seated judge of appellate court Justice Sahib Khan and illustrious banker Sher Jahan Mir were speculated as high profiled candidates.
It is said that the latter one was even invited to Islamabad with full protocol. Mir has played a vital role in the uplift of the poor people of this hard hilly region through the "Northern Areas Co-operative Bank Ltd", now called the Karakorum Bank. Being the head of this co-operative entity, Mir expanded its network at almost every notable town of entire Gilgit-Baltistan. He used an innovative mechanism under which credit can be provided to the poorest of the poor on personal liability basis, enabling him or her to run any sort of business.
In a region that is extremely alienated on the basis of sect, cast and origin, Mir did his best to uplift the life of every native in unmatchable worst conditions. As such his nomination was welcomed by all sections of the society. Unfortunately, some hidden extremist sectarian elements opposed his nomination, misleading the government and the President in particular.
In a democratic society, selection of high officials on the basis of sectarianism, are always discouraged. But when you try to streamline the society on democratic front, you need to bring all the stakeholders into the fold of democratic process. In this sense, it is very essential for a democratic government to spread its wings over all the sections of the society.
Unfortunately, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are divided on sectarian grounds and are habitual of seeing things in that perspective. The present government of the PPP has harvested the cultivations of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in a shape of outstanding victory in the November last elections. Ultimately, the real friends of the present government would never negate positive steps to bring together the different segments of society in Gilgit-Baltistan. It was really a good sign of democracy that selection of the chief minister and speaker from two different sects were welcomed by all sections. Similarly, nomination of the governor from the second largest section should also be accepted on justified footings. This will amount to strengthen the democratic process in the region and ultimate benefit will go to present Government.
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