The federal government would extend basic rights to the GB people : Attorney General for Pakistan

Islamabad (MP): A seven-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday directed Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Khan to share with the court the proposed draft the federal government has prepared regarding the status of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) so that the court will look into it before giving a final verdict on the issue.
When the court resumed hearing, the AGP told the bench that the federal government has formed a sub-committee to finalize the draft regarding the status of GB and some of the recommendations included three seats in the Parliament.
When the bench members pressed him to say in categorical terms what could be the best option whereby the GB people could get their basic constitutional rights and Pakistan also did not risk jeopardizing its position on the Kashmir issue at the international fora.
The attorney general said that the federal government would extend basic rights to the GB people and their funds would be restored. He, however, said that but all this would take time as legislation would be required before conferring all powers and due basic and constitutional rights to the subjects. The AGP told the bench that the government was planning to bring a constitutional amendment in the Parliament with the support of all major political parties to give a legal cover to the proposed legislation but it will take time.
When the bench asked him if all political parties failed to develop consensus on the constitutional amendment regarding giving basic rights to the GB people, the AGP said that if such a case arise, a presidential order could be invoked to give basic rights to the GB people.
The AGP emphasized giving rights to the GB people without altering its current status.
Justice Umar Atta Bandial said that the people of GB could be given everything including constitutional and basic rights without altering its current status and unless the Kashmir issue was settled.
Earlier, at the beginning of the hearing, GB Bar Council counsel Salman Akram Raja had a heated debate with the judges. When Raja presenting his arguments said that though GB is mentioned the Constitution, its denizens are being treated as second-class citizens. His remarks evoked a sharp reaction from the chief justice and Justice Azmat Saeed, who admonished him for uttering irresponsible words.
The chief justice while continuously admonishing Salman Akram Raja told him that he should not try to become a hero by playing with the depravations of the GB people and making political statements.
Justice Azmat Saeed, again and again, reprimanded Raja for using the word second-class citizens. “Don’t put the country in disgrace by using such words, which suit a political rally,” Justice Saeed said adding that the issue was very delicate and it has international implications.
The chief justice asked Raja to apologize and take back his words, which he did. Raja argued that GB can be made part of Pakistan. Upon this, the chief justice asked him if any area could be annexed into Pakistan on the order of the Supreme Court. The judge said that the court has its limitations but it wanted to give the GB people their rights without creating trouble for the government to fight its case (Kashmir issue) at the international fora
The two judges showed their total disapproval of Salman Akram Raja and refused him the rostrum to further argue on the matter.
The bench observed that the court could not ask the Parliament to make compulsory legislation on the constitutional status on the GB status as it was the prerogative of the Parliament but the court could ask it to consider the draft the government has prepared.
The bench observed that many points of the proposed draft on the GB status could be made part of a judgment the Supreme Court will give on the issue.
The court after seeking the proposed draft put off the hearing till coming Friday.