SANA

ISLAMABAD (SANA): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his government has fulfilled its commitment by empowering the people of Northern Areas today with the unanimous approval of the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009.

He was talking to a delegation comprising of members of Northern Areas Council and notables, which called on him at the PM’s Secretariat here this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said that elections for Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly would be held on schedule under the new Governance Order 2009. He hoped that the Council members would play their role in the strengthening of democratic institutions and new administrative set up adding that the decision would greatly contribute towards welfare of the masses.

The Prime Minister congratulated the delegation members on behalf of the Cabinet and of the whole nation on this historic occasion.

The delegation members invited the Prime Minister to visit Gilgit-Baltistan. The Prime Minister said that he would soon visit the area to personally felicitate the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and would announce a comprehensive package for these areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for KANA Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira termed the decision a great achievement. He thanked the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on behalf of the people of Northern Areas.

The delegation, on behalf of the people of Gilgat-Baltistan thanked the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for the historic decision. They also appreciated the personal efforts of Federal Minister for KANA, Qamar Zaman Kaira in this regard.