SRINAGAR: Notwithstanding the reaction from India, Pakistan Prime Minister on Sunday announced “provisional” provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan, state broadcaster Pakistan Radio reported
“Prime Minister Imran Khan says the government has decided to give provisional provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan keeping in view the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” the Radio website reported. “He was addressing the Azadi Parade ceremony in connection with the 73rd Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan in Gilgit on Sunday.”
“One of the reasons for me coming to Gilgit-Baltistan is to announce that we have decided to grant Gilgit-Baltistan the provisional provincial status,” Khan was quoted saying by news gatherer ANI.
The decision will have repercussions on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). Earlier on October 8, Muzaffarabad witnessed a protest by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and Student Liberation Front against the government’s decision to make Gilgit-Baltistan a province.
The government has decided “to grant Gilgit-Baltistan the provisional provincial status which was a long-standing demand of the people of the region”, Gulf News quoted Khan proclaiming. “The decision has been taken within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, the premier added.”
Gilgit-Baltistan earlier known as Northern Areas would now be a province of Pakistan.
