Will Slogans and Claims to Make GB a Province Come True?

WEB DESK: The election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan is in full swing. It is for the first time that there is full-fledged discussion of recognizing Gilgit-Baltistan. The eco of this argument can be heard in PML-N, PPP and PTI election rallies. All three major political parties are supporting the idea to give provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Elections for 23 of the 24 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly are set for November 15.

Slogans and claims are being made in the public meetings to make Gilgit-Baltistan a province.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari even said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (C-PAC) should have started first in Gilgit-Baltistan.

On the other hand, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has also supported making Gilgit-Baltistan a province.

Addressing the gathering during the election campaign, she said that Gilgit-Baltistan should become a province, for which Nawaz Sharif has done his job.

Talking to News360 in this regard, former Secretary defense General retired Naeem Lodhi said that now when Prime Minister Imran Khan and all the political parties are talking about making Gilgit-Baltistan a province, the situation indicates that it can now become a reality soon and this decision will be very important for Gilgit-Baltistan.

Referring to the international impact, he said that China would be satisfied with the decision because of CPEC.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan formally had announced the region’s interim provincial status on the occasion of Gilgit-Baltistan National Day on November 1.

The constitution will be amended by a two-thirds majority to make GB a province, as a result, it will get seats in Senate, National Assembly and Pakistan’s other constitutional institutions.

General (R) Naeem Lodhi further said, “There should be a referendum in Gilgit-Baltistan because it is clear that the people of GB will certainly vote in favor of the province, simultaneously this would be a good move at the international level.”