Pakistan Muslim League, which is the leading party in the Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) with 15 seats in the house of 24, has decided to fully empower the council to make it independent to ensure prompt action on the development of the area.
This was stated by Minister of State for Youth, Sports and Culture Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani while addressing a press conference here at PML House on Sunday along with Deputy Chief Executive of the Northern Areas Legislative Council Mir Ghazanfar Ali, Imtiaz Ranjah, Tabish Alwari and Mahmood Hashmi.
Senator Durrani said although a notification has already been announced to transfer the powers of the Chief Executive of the NALC to the Deputy Chief Executive but added that it would be improved further to ensure more powers to the NALC.
He said a convention of PML Northern Areas would be held next month in Northern Areas where a comprehensive package of transfer of powers to the NALC would be announced besides many other development projects for the Northern Areas to remove sense of deprivation among the people of the area who sacrificed for Pakistan.
Senator Durrani, who is also Incharge PML Northern Areas, said the process of election for six reserved seats for women and six technocrats in NALC would also be completed within one month.
He said the government would also ensure more funds for the Northern Areas to improve the infrastructure to promote tourism in the area which is known for its natural beauty thorough out the world.
Deputy Chief Executive Northern Areas Legislative Council Mir Ghazanfar Ali addressing the press conference expressed dissatisfaction over the notification announced recently for transfer of power from Chief Executive to Deputy Chief Executive.
He said the problems of the Northern Areas would not be resolved with the notification announced in this regard and demanded to take more steps to ensure real power transfer. He said the Deputy Chief Executive of the Northern Areas had no financial power, therefore, he could not supervise the development projects in the area.
Mir Ghazanfar said so far the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, had not released the funds of the "Development Package" already announced by President General Pervez Musharraf for the development of Northern Areas before the elections of the council.
He said due to dilapidated condition of roads in the Northern Areas, the people had to face problems. He also demanded that the flights for the Northern Areas should also be increased.