Constitutional Developments and Challenges to Autonomous and Self-governing System of GilgitBiltistan

Abstract

Gilgit-Baltistan has an amazing history of governance due to multiple variations of geography, demography and economy. Historically, it was the part of Kashmir now it is semi-autonomous and not formally integrated in Pakistan. The region is not enjoying the constitutional status as other provinces of Pakistan. Federation of Pakistan has announced reform packages sometimes for the region but these reforms packages are not properly implemented and stirred a new debate. The paper addresses the pertinent question whether these reform packages could harmonize the constitutional issues of Gilgit Baltistan. The current setup is hybrid from the provincial setup in Pakistan with minimal powers of representatives and still has many challenges for the autonomy of Gilgit-Baltistan. The study is an attempt to analyze the constitutional development: the presidential Order 2009 and reforms package 2018 regarding the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-governance to the answer of the issue. The historical and descriptive approach is followed the consequences of Federal Government policies, constitutional development, and favorable political and peaceful atmosphere of new Gilgit-Baltistan Province.