Posts Tagged ‘Northern Areas’
Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment Ordinance: A Change in Nomenclature Only
The Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Ordinance 2009 was approved by Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet last week. The Ordinance is directed towards granting internal political autonomy to the Northern Areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The Ordinance, however, falls short of local demands and is only a change in nomenclature rather than genuine political reforms. Â
The 1949 ceasefire line resulted in the division of J&K with Pakistan gaining control over some portion of the disputed territory. Pakistan administered region of J&K was subsequently divided in 1970 into two administrative zones: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Federally Administered Northern Regions. AJK is constitutionally not a part of Pakistan and is governed by an elected President, Prime Minister and Legislature. Northern Areas are under the direct control of Islamabad and is ruled through a Northern Area Council headed by Pakistan’s Minister for Kashmir Affairs. Click to continue…
Understanding J&K Dispute: Government of Pakistan and People of AJK and Norther Areas
The intra-national dimension of the J&K dispute also involves strained relations between the inhabitants of the Pakistan administered regions of J&K and the Federal Government of Pakistan. The 1949 ceasefire line resulted in the division of J&K with Pakistan gaining control over some portion of the disputed territory. Pakistan administered region of J&K was subsequently divided in 1970 into two administrative zones: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Federally Administered Northern Regions. AJK is constitutionally not a part of Pakistan and is governed by an elected President, Prime Minister and Legislature. Northern Areas are under the direct control of Islamabad and is ruled through a Northern Area Council headed by Pakistan’s Minister for Kashmir Affairs. Though Pakistan claims to be supporting the cause of self-determination in India administered regions of J&K, the degree of autonomy and kind of democratic freedoms granted to the populations of AJK and Northern Areas are highly controversial and have caused widespread unrest in the region. Click to continue…