Gilgit-Baltistan

If you ever thought why only four provinces are represented on 14th August, why the customs and traditions of Northern areas are absent in any cultural representation of areas of Pakistan... then know this. They can not get Provincial status, representation in Parliament of Pakistan and constitutional rights bestowed upon the citizens of Pakistan because they are in a disputed territory. The Government of Pakistan is under obligation of UN resolutions on Kashmir which state that Pakistan can only have administrative rights over these areas and can not change their status (like naming it as a 5th province of Pakistan).

The recent Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self Governance) Order 2009 is an attempt by the Pakistani Government to give more legislative powers to the locals. There will be a Governor, a Chief Minister and a legislative council. This will be more on pattern of Azad Kashmir Government. The idea is to give more autonomy and legislative powers to the inhabitants of these areas. But the problem of giving full constitutional cover to Gilgit-Baltistan still remains as after passage of 62 years. So how about solving this issue? I found this idea very neat and effective.

"This can be done by giving Gilgit-Baltistan provincial status on a purely provisional basis, pending the implementation of UN resolutions. If Pakistan does so now, after sixty years first of stalling and then of refusal by India to allow a plebiscite, there will be no breach of our international commitments, nor will such a step affect the sanctity of those resolutions, or absolve India of its obligation under international law to cooperate in their implementation. However, to preclude any misgivings, Pakistan will have to coordinate this step with the people and government of Azad Kashmir and with the APHC as the representative body of Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control. ..."

"... This should be followed by an amendment to the Pakistani Constitution, declaring that: (a) the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be decided through a plebiscite in accordance with UN resolutions; (b) until the final status of the state has been so determined, Pakistan admits it to the Federation on a provisional basis in accordance with the wish expressed by the elected representatives of the liberated territory; and (c) Pakistan remains committed to the implementation of the UN resolutions." - Asif Ezdi

read about it more here.