ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court Wednesday restored the Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018, suspending the decision of Supreme Appellate Court of GB.
A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the appeal moved by the federation.
During the course of proceedings, the CJP observed that the people of Gilgit Baltistan deserved the equal rights as in other parts of the country.
He said the apex court allowed the appeal against the GB court’s verdict as it was the government’s responsibility to ensure the provision of basic facilities to the people of the region.
It may be added that the GB Order 2018, which was promulgated in May, replaced the GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009. The new order is said to provide political, administrative, financial and judicial powers to the GB people. It also shifted powers from the GB Council, including those related to passing laws on minerals and tourism, to the GB Assembly.
However, many people in GB, including a GB Council member Saeed Afzal, raised objections over the order.
Afzal, who had filed the petition before the law was promulgated, was of the view that the new order should not be introduced till their tenure was completed.
Nevertheless, the PML-N government promulgated the GB Order 2018 during the last days of its tenure.
