Role of PPP in G.B
Introduction
The political history of Gilgit-Baltistan (G.B) has always remained a special link with Pakistan. No doubt, every crest and trough in the political situations of Pakistan may directly or indirectly alters the political system of this region. PPP has special privilege in G.B due to its political reforms in the region while all the infrastructure developments brought by the Pakistan Army. However there are many other factors that are big hurdle in giving them their identity. Author is of opine that G.B is the only territory in the world which was still ruled as a colony after a successful struggle for freedom from the Dogras. They have been aloofed from self-determinations, representations and identity. In the history of Pakistan first general elections ware conducted in 1970. During this period the people of the G.B has no right of vote to elect their representatives. However, the ruling party the PPP of Pakistan introduced for the first time in the history of G.B elections on non party basis in 1975 through an ordinance. Through this ordinance elections on non party base were conducted in the years of 1975, 1983 and 1987. After that in the second term of Benazir Bhutto a new order was issued in the name of the 'Northern Areas Legal Framework Order' (LFO) 1994. The non party elections culminated and for the first time in the history of G.B elections on the Party basis were contested. On party base elections were competed in 1994, 1999, and 2004. This system continued till 2009 when the again the ruling party the PPP promulgated an order of provisional setup for G.B. The G.B empowerment and Self-governance order was signed by the president Asif Ali Zardari on 28 August 2009. Through this G.B was given semi provincial setup and elections were conducted on the provincial level. But they still have lack of representations on National Level. They have no right of vote to select their representations in the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan. Above all these the majority political parties that are competing elections in G.B are generally from the leading political parties of Pakistan. In the political and electoral history of G.B the PPP had a countless role in uplifting the status of people in term political, self-determinations and infrastructure of G.B. PPP from the day one remained the claimant of giving G.B the full Provincial setup therefore it did a lot to change the status of G.B in order to sort out way to give full right of self-determinations like the other four province of Pakistan. This paper will highlights the role of PPP in different eras in G.B and find out their developments and performances in order to achieve their goal of full provincial setup for the people of G.B.
Historical Background
Let's have a sneak a quick look over the history of G.B before going into the details about the role of PPP in G.B after their emergence in December 1967. The governance arrangement of G.B evolved on different lines. First, after getting liberation from the Dogra forces they joined as a part of Pakistan in three different Phases. Pakistan on his first attempt sent her political agent Sardar Muhammad Alam on November 1, 1947. Unfortunately the newly borne country Pakistan was not aware of the importance and status of this region. Initially its administration was run by imposing the colonial law the Frontier Criminals Law FCR of 1901 . A series of political agent ruled G.B till the promulgation of the Northern Areas Legal Framework Order (LFO) in 1974 by the PPP government in federal. The political agents had colossal power and authority in all subjects and administration without any fear of political accountability. They ruled as an autocratic and despotic ruler through their vassals, the Mirs and the Rajas. During the Ayub khan regime elections through the Basic Democracy system conducted in the years 1961 and 1967. This helped them to work for their better future but was insufficient because their identity was still in limbo. Even this was said that Ayub Khan was in a position to make G.B constitutionally a part of Federation of Pakistan but he never thought about it and totally ignored the region.
G.B and Bhutto' Regime
The people of G.B considered Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (r.1971-77) as their benefactor, savior and liberator. For the first time a Prime Minister of Pakistan had spoke on them as per their aspirations and had given tongue them to speak about their rights. During his term in office he brought the following quintessential changes and reforms.
The Pakistani administration and political agents initially ruled G.B through the Mirs and Rajas but when people turned against them the process of reforms begun under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto regime. The masses stand up against this oppressive system that eventually led to the ending the systems and brought the people's human rights.
He abolished the old system of Mirs and Rajas as well as abolished the state of Hunza. In 1974, he also announced the culmination of FCR which was invoked by Pakistan in 1947. PPP introduced the Northern Areas Legal Framework Order in 1975. This brought administrative and judicial reforms albeit it did not provide basic rights for the people of G.B. He furthermore, created new districts of Ghanche and Ghizer. For the administrative purpose he abolished the office of political agent and named the region as 'Northern Areas of Pakistan'. Local bodies act was extended to G.B and than Northern Areas Legislative council (NALC), district/union council and municipalities were created on adult franchise base. During Zia's regime members were selected to the Majilis-e-Shura. The office of a Depty Inspector General Police and a development commission were created. Excluding the post of commissioner all other posts were offered to the locals on preferential basis. The Northern Areas development fund was increased by three folds.
Apart from these above reforms Mr. Bhutto negotiated with china and signed an agreement, which paved way for the construction of Karakorum Highway (KKH), connecting China with Pakistan by land. The construction of KKH was started in 1972 and completed in 1978. The opening of KKH brought a chance of economic prosperity, trade and transportation services in the area. This route also helped to promote the influx of tourisms in the area for both foreign and domestic tourist. There also estabkished a custom post at Sost near the Pak-China border. Additionally KKH is also very important in defense perspective for Pakistan.
G.B and Benazir Bhutto Regime
Benazir Bhutto sat on the pulpit of the PM of Pakistan twice for a term of 5 years but before the completion of her first term President Ghulam Ishaq khan a Mafioso of the establishment booted her out. Again before the completion of her second term President Farooq Laghari, a lackey of her father Z.A Bhutto dismissed her. During her two terms in office she visited couple of time to G.B. In the first term she did nothing with the system of governance in G.B.
In 1994, during the second tenure of Benazir Bhutto the PPP set up the 'Northern Areas Legal Framework Order' (LFO) 1994 and all executive powers were invested in the Federal Minister for 'Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas' (KANA) as Chief Executive (C.E) of NALC. The C.E was given power to revise the LFO at his will exclusive of the appreciation of the Council. The C.E was to be assisted by a deputy C.E appointed by C.E from NALC. All the remaining members of NALC have to advise the deputy C.E only. NALC was consisted of 24 elected members' 6 members each from Diamer, Gilgit, and Baltistan and 3 each from Ghizar and Ghanche along with 5 seats reserved for women. The C.E being the member of the council no bill could be passed or become law unless it was granted and signed by him. Thus in her second term in office, she in the name of reforms empowered the mighty bureaucracy more than ever in this area and immense powers were vested in the office of C.E.
PPP in the federal government launched the G.B Empowerment and Self-Governance Order through a Presidential Order (PO) in august 2009. It was noteworthy step in conformity with the verdict of 1999 of Supreme Court of Pakistan ordering the Pakistani administrations to take steps for all necessary actions to endowment them fundamental rights. Through this order the name of this area is rephrased from Northern Areas to Gilgit-Baltistan. This PO formed new offices of Governor and Chief Minister (CM). G.B was for first time entitled with a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to carry out general elections on provincial level. Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) and G.B Council were formed in the light if this PO. GBLA would consist of 33 members. The 24 members were elected directly on the base of adult franchise, 6 seats for women and 3 for technocrats. GBLA is empowered to elect CM, Speaker and Deputy Speaker. In this PO a total of 61 subjects were rested under the jurisdiction of the GBLA. The G.B Consolidated Fund and the annual budget were to be presented in the GBLA and voted ahead, imitating the norms in the other four provinces.
Through this PO of 2009 G.B Council performed it functions like an upper house. G.B Council consisted of 15 members with the PM of Pakistan as its chairperson. Governor G.B as chairman, 6 federal ministers nominated by the PM, CM of G.B and 6 members from the GBLA on the base of proportional representation. The G.B Council could legislate on 55 subject matters as mentioned in the PO of August 2009.
The elected GBLA is now given power to practical but chief decisions are in the hand of the federal. The federal government effectively implements these through the G.B Council. The PO of 2009 is somehow akin to the AJK Interim Constitution Act of 1974 but both have less sovereignty in practical as compared to the provinces of country.
PPP Elections Manifesto for G.B
If we have just a overview over the party manifesto of PPP we will find that it revolves around the following fifteen subjects on the priority basis. 1.Fiscal and Political Autonomy 2. Law and Orders 3. A Question of rights 4. Natural Disaster Management 5. Regional Language and Culture 6. Youth and children 7. Education 8. Infrastructure 9. Media, Communication and Technology 10. Health 11. Tourisms 12. Energy Sector Reforms 13. Trade Sector Developments 14. Reforming the Industrial and Mineral Sectors 15. Agriculture.
The PPP Parliamentarian claimed to be commitment to the equality of citizens irrespective of their color, cast, creed, faith and the place of their residence remained unshaken. They firmly believed in the right of a citizen and the elected representatives to ensure that they, and the area belong to, develop their full potential.
PPP and Elections of 2009 and 2015
After the promulgation of Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance in