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Article published by National News Papers recently Rental Power Plants: myth v. realityMurtaza Mohsin
In Pakistan, you are damned if you do and you are damned if you don’t. Not always, but more often than not. There is massive power load-shedding across the country, factories and plants are closing down, manufacturing businesses and exports are down, unemployment and poverty is increasing, there are riots on the streets, trains and public property are being set on fire. Government’s response? Implement the short term energy generation project initiated in 2007 through rental power plants to eliminate load-shedding by December 2009 and work concurrently on other medium and long term thermal and hydel projects. Sensible indeed but not so to our perpetual doubters. What is rental power?Rental power plants are set up to meet short-term and emergency requirements of a country and are typically commissioned within 4-6 months based on available technology. Rental periods are normally 5-7 years depending on the country’s need. Rental power plants have been set up in the US, UK, India, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Palestine. The concept was introduced in Pakistan in 2007 when two projects were awarded to GE and PPR, both from the US, for 150MW and 136MW each. Pakistan needs rental powerThere is a deficit of about 5,000MW in the system and this deficiency is primarily a generation deficiency not capable of being met by better augmentation of existing plants or saving of line losses. Better augmentation and line losses can help but not solve the problem. The Government has a choice of either providing power or allowing 18-hour shutdowns. Is rental power more expensive?Capacity, return on capital, interest on loans and loan repayments, O&M and other variable cost components comprising the rental tariff are lower than the normal IPPs as can be seen from the table below:
Rental plants are simple cycle plants and consume marginally more fuel than combined cycle power plants which are normally set up as IPPs. However, most IPPs normally first start out as simple cycle plants and are then converted to combined cycle over a period of time. Despite the fact that rental contacts are between 3-5 years and not 20 years (as with IPPs), rental tariffs are low. When lower tariffs to rental plants are taken into account and a further allowance made for higher fuel costs, the difference is almost equal or marginally higher in case of rental plants. Therefore, it is entirely incorrect to suggest that rental power costs are substantially higher than those of IPPs. Government guarantees repayment of rental power defaults to banks?This is a completely false impression being created by vested interests. GOP provides no guarantee to cover the rental sponsor’s event of default and the entire risk is assumed by the rental sponsors and their lenders. The GOP guarantee is provided, like to IPPs, to cover only the event of default of PEPCO/GENCO, the state-owned entities buying rental power. Sponsors provide their own collateral (first charge on plant and machinery, personal guarantees and additional collateral) to secure loans. The impression that rental plants are being set up with GOP guarantees is completely false. GOP provides 14% advance deposit as a favor to rental plants?This perception is entirely incorrect. All GOP contracts are backed with a down payment normally of between 10-15% secured through a Bank Guarantee. Rental plants are given 14% mobilization advance against a Bank Guarantee and this amount is adjusted against rental payments owed by PEPCO/GENCO for power delivered by rental plants to the grid. Rental plants are inefficient and old and will break down with resultant loss to GOP? False. Gas-based rental plants require a 92% availability guarantee and RFO-based rental plants require an 85% availability guarantee. Almost all WAPDA plants and many of the IPPs do not meet this high availability criterion. Rental sponsors because of their own obligations and in their own interest (especially since the funding is secured against their personal guarantees and assets) have to bring in efficient and robust plants with world class O&M operators to ensure availability and heat rate requirements under rental contracts are achieved. Failure to do so results in heavy penalties payable by the rental plants. GOP could have set up its own power plants with the same money given to rental plants? GOP is neither a buyer nor beneficiary in any rental plant. It is only purchasing a service for which it is paying. All rental payments are made 60 days in arrears by PEPCO. In fact, rental plants provide a cash float to PEPCO. GOP could not mobilize almost $2 billion to set up rental plants which has been mobilized totally by the private sector and without any GOP guarantee or obligations to the lenders for repayment in case of rental sponsors’ default. Equipment will not last for duration of rental contracts?Lenders do their own due diligence (technical and otherwise) through independent Lender’s Engineers on the rental plants being purchased. It is only after the lenders have satisfied themselves of the valuation and technical viability of the plants that they consider funding. Well designed power plants with world class O&M management can last for 20-25 years. Therefore the satisfactory operation for the 3-5 years rental terms cannot be questioned. Other advantages of rental power· Short term implementation to meet emergency requirements. · Short-term GOP commitments allowing flexibility to GOP to opt for long-term hydel, nuclear, coal, other projects. · No GOP capital investment in the power projects. · GOP pays only for electricity supplied. If electricity is not supplied to the grid, no payment is made to the rental plants. · Rental plants serve as an example of efficiency and competence to the country’s other power plants particularly in the public sector. · The cost of purchase and setting up of power plants cannot be subject of controversy as GOP pays nothing for them and in no way guarantees any repayments to the lenders of rental plants. GOP guarantees that the state-owned entities buying power will be able to pay for them—exactly like the case with IPPs.
Rental sponsors have taken a leap of faith and are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in fast-track development of these rental plants. Sponsors and lenders are uncomfortable that they are being subjected to misplaced, ill-informed media trial sponsored by vested interests who do not want to see power shortages removed on priority and are vocal in their criticism of individuals and companies setting up rental plants, which have been awarded transparently. GOP has no liability to pay for setting up of rental plants, rental plants are paid for electricity delivered to the grid 60 days in arrears, GOP takes no responsibility for payment of loans taken by rental sponsors, and rental plants are successfully set up in 6-8 months whereas IPPs take 3-4 years. If anyone has better solutions to resolve the power crisis on an urgent basis, they should come forward with concrete proposals for public and government consideration.
Another Day of Independenceby Qamar Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting. Another Day of Independence has dawned seeking from us the account of 63 years of the emergence of Pakistan, achieved after the largest exodus of the world when 100 million people crossed borders. Still a greater price was the bloodbath of some 150,000 men, women and children who were killed in addition to looting and arson that shook the entire humanity. Despite the unfortunate that befell, the people arriving here felt no despondency because they had a hope kindled in their hearts by founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah who declared in an unequivocal terms that they would not remain like this for ever. They drew inspirations from what the Quaid-i-Azam told the first Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 at Karachi upon being elected its first President. “ … we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor…. no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, he is first, second and last citizen of this state with equal rights, privileges and obligations, there is no end to progress you will make”, was the first and the foremost message of the father of the nation. This was the Quaid’s policy, a Magna Charta for the new country that he envisioned would be a state guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities, civil liberties and socio-economic justice. He envisaged Pakistan as a state that will ensure “... we are all citizens, equal citizens of one state …. we should keep that in front of us our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims will cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the state…. I shall be guided by the principles of justice and fair play without ... My guiding principle will be justice and complete impartiality, and I am sure that with your support and cooperation, I can look forward to Pakistan becoming one of the greatest nations of the world”. FIRST BLOW: But all the succeeding governments rejected with contempt the vision of the Quaid and started indulging themselves in practices alien to democracy and other high national ideals. The dissolution of the Constituent Assembly by governor-general Ghulam Mohammad in October 24, 1954 at a time when all constitutional disputes had been resolved and the assembly was to pass the first constitution within a week or so, was the first blow dealt to the state that laid the foundation of cessation. Then Commander- in-Chief Gen Ayub Khan supported the move and was later taken in the new cabinet along with Lt Gen Iskandar Mirza paving the way for military intervention. Provinces were also dissolved to create a One-Unit the same month laying the foundation of an unending conflict of the provincial autonomy issue. Then came military regimes of Gen Ayub Khan, Gen Yahya Khan, Gen Mohammad Ziaul Haq and Gen Pervez Musharraf and they consumed 33 of 63 years of the national life leaving behind a trail of tragic events including the fall of Dhaka, introduction of drugs (heroin) and Kalashnikov culture and the rise of terrorism and extremism on the heels of sectarian violence. These dictators weakened political process and added to instability of the country. But a majority of those in politics those days and even today, as Gen Zia once said, followed all dictators wagging their tails. They were in Liaqat Ali Khan’s Muslim League, Iskandar Mirza’s Republican Party, Gen Ayub’s Convention League, Gen Zia’s PML formed under Mohammad Khan Junejo after non-party elections and finally the PML(Q) as founded by Gen Perrvez Musharraf. Incidentally, all dictators had (mis)used the name Pakistan Muslim League that always had several factions at one time and all claimed to be “true followers of the Quaid-i-Azam”. By contrast, the Bhuttos sacrificed one member of the family after the other because they stood by the Pakistan People’s Party’s founding principles. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was put to the gallows iun what is generally believed to be a judicial murder. Shahnawaz Bhutto was poisoned to death in France and Murtaza Bhutto was killed in the middle of a Karachi Road. And finally, Mohatarama Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi. No family across the world still matches the degree of sacrifices that the Bhutto family has offered for Pakistan and its teeming millions of the people.
RISE OF MILITANCY: No-one can dispute that religious parties seats in the National Assembly ranged between six to a maximum of 10 and this is reflected in all elections from 1970 to 1997. But what transpired in 2002 elections may be an electoral wonder as the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, the alliance of six religious parties, won more than 60 seats in the National Assembly and won enough seats to form their governments in NWFP and Balochistan bordering Afghanistan. The fact that the same religious parties were once again relegated to their original electoral strength in 2008 elections, shows that some handiwork by the Musharraf regime enlarged them beyond their genuine electoral share. Evidence is available that the MMA governments in the two provinces had patronized militants and the recent arrest of an MMA MNA on the charge of abducting and killing a Polish engineer augments the claim of their contribution to the rise in terrorism and militancy. HOPE AT LAST: However, there is also no reason to be disappointed either although a huge mountain of problems accumulated in more than six decades has been placed ahead of the PPP-led coalition government. The people, after a very long time, now have a hope for the future because an elected parliament is in place and is fully functional; it has the singular credit of not indemnifying the acts of a dictator although all the previous assemblies granted indemnity to autocratic rules. Besides, a dynamic judiciary is there and its historic judgment on July 31 also goes in history as the first verdict against a dictator in 62 years. Last but not the least, a determined PPP government is there with all its commitment to a polity bedecked with a democratic order, political conciliation, constitutionalism, strengthening of national institutions and involving them in all national affairs. One example of the politics of reconciliation is a draft 18th Amendment that was mutually agreed between the PPP and the PML-N in implementing the Charter of Democracy, has already been seized by a parliamentary committee for the preparation of the amendment to do away with the president’s power to dissolve the National Assembly and removing other constitutional imbalances. The will to resolve certain national issues, as shown by the government, also adds to this faith. For example, the government reflected its determination to curb the twin menace of terrorism and militancy, that was posing a potential threat to the very existence of the country. But our armed forces have not only succeeded in accomplishing a major part of the duty but also started the process of rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of the displaced persons sending them back home. The almost eradication of this menace within four months is by no mean a small achievement. Second, a concerted effort is underway to end power shortage, a major national issue, by the end of the year. Electricity shortage was first felt in 1981 and Gen Zia’s regime failed to take notice in the remaining seven years of his autocratic rule. This phenomenon lingered on for another six years before the second government of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto entered into agreements with independent power producers and by the end of 1996, Pakistan had started generating surplus electricity and at one time India was talking with Islamabad for import of Pakistani electricity. Then came the second Nawaz Sharif government and the eight-year dictatorial regime of Gen Pervez Musharraf and, unfortunately, not a single kilowatt of electricity was added to the system in the next 12 years. This problem also became part of the PPP government’s agenda and there seems no unwillingness on its part to achieve the goal.
Employees Now Own Government
All the Pakistan People’s Party governments in the past have a special
leaning to the working classes, government employees and those whose
livelihood depends on their toil. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Need to come up with solutionsAli Wahab
Pakistan is a country which is gifted with some of the most talented people in the world. The resources we have available are nearly sufficient for our use and are also of good quality. We have an economy which has withstood many a shocks and shown resilience over time. Our human resource is skilled and competes with the best all over the world. The shocks we have faced tenaciously are not just natural but also man made. Despite of all challenges, our nation continues to move forward- if not in galloping strides, it surely does so in a slow and gradual fashion. Our biggest enemy is not nature, neither it’s the global super powers or even the “wannabe” superpowers in our neighborhood, but, it is we ourselves. Over the course of last quarter of a century, Pakistanis have grown increasingly pessimistic. Some point out towards our system of governance, some point out towards corruption, some pinpoint military adventures, in fact, the more people you talk, to you get to hear a new angle, a new theory every time. Everyone points out problems, very few come up with solutions. I am an expatriate Pakistani for whom his growth is linked with his country’s growth. I am competing with various nationalities in an increasingly insecure, weak and selfish global economy. As a Pakistani, I have to absorb the propaganda that ranges from the doomsday scenario of disintegration of Pakistan to demonstration on power outages and subsequent arsonist activities of anarchists who have a regular field day in our country. Every now and then I hear a statement like “Pakistan toot jaye ga!” and my heart sinks. When closely looked at, a variety of problems are identified but seldom is a solution given. Even if a solution is given, it is all over the place and out of touch with reality. Let us take a few examples. Power Outages: this has roots in two problems-high demand and low power generation leading to load shedding while the unimproved distribution network compounds the difficulties of the end users. Now every now and then we see a demonstration when either sub-stations or pole mounted transformers (PMTs) are damaged by demonstrators. Can anyone ask them what will they gain out of this destruction? They are creating further delays in the restoration of electricity as well as adding to the capital costs of the power utility operating in their area. The recent burning of a train in Jhang was mind boggling. Who has given people the right to destroy government property which is created out of tax payers’ money? The media flashes these incidents without condemnation. The news gets picked by international newswires and is splashed across newspapers, blogs, bulletin boards etc. Headlines the next day reads “Angry mobs burn train – Power Shortage in Pakistan”. The government has announced that load shedding will end by December 2009. this is mainly due to commissioning of the rental power plants. Now the media and some unrealistic politicians are harping that high tariff rates have been awarded to these rental power plants and this capacity being generated on furnace oil plants “awam kee kamar torr den gay” while also doubting transparency. Can I ask commentators on media and some politicians as to what should be the order of priority? You want power first or accountability? You have so many stakeholders in this field. Ministry of Water & Power, PPIB, WAPDA, NEPRA, the distribution companies, while the consumers await anxiously for the supply to begin. I still remember the 1994 Power Policy of the PPP government. It was branded as a corrupt policy by the opposition of that time. Organizations like Transparency International would give Pakistan the infamous rank of “2nd Most Corrupt Country”. Ideally the IPP’s that were established between the period of 1996-1998 should have been the first to expand when the power shortage started becoming imminent from 2004 onwards. They chose not to. Have we ever pondered why considering they have been profitable companies barring a few with power purchase agreements being in place and a number of covenants in their favor? A witch-hunt in the late 1990’s against the IPPs and subsequent delays in their payments by WAPDA must have caused the investors to say “Thank you sir, no more in Pakistan!”. Instead of being welcoming to investors, we have driven them out ourselves. Those questioning high tariff rates need to open their minds and think rationally. How can a consumer dictate terms when faced with a shortage? Is it wrong to expect the laws of demand and supply to dictate prices than the popular demand? First and foremost the demand for power and supply of power has to meet equilibrium before we can contemplate demanding better tariffs. Hopefully within 5-10 years, if proper planning is done and capacity is increased, tariffs will have to come down. Also critics have to understand that if you have power, industries will firstly run and then produce as per needs; if you have power, tube wells would run, help irrigate lands and produce for the economy; if you have power available, the services sector could focus on improving its effectiveness than to worry about having generators installed in their premises to counter load shedding. Coming to the actual need of having a large cabinet is because of the division of ministries. Let us come up with practical solutions on how we can have an effective cabinet. Also it is important to note that when you have a coalition government, the smaller parties are always looking for a larger share even though they do not deserve it. Case in point being JUI that has three very critical ministries namely Housing & Works, Science & Technology and believe it or not Tourism Development. It is high time that the people of Pakistan come up with practical solutions to the problems faced by them. Criticizing is the easiest part. Solving a problem is the most difficult part especially in a nation like ours where everyone is an “expert”. Also there has to be a will to solve the problem amongst the decision makers while we as the general public have to give time to the elected representatives. The media has to play an important role in this exercise. By just criticizing endlessly and that too in front of the glare of the world, we are doing nothing but fanning statements like “Pakistan is a failed state”. Pakistan is not a failed state. We are a resilient nation and a nation that has moved ahead slowly and steadily and InshAllah we’ll move ahead. The Writer is a banker based in the United Arab Emirates. Email aliwahab_1979@yahoo.com Pakistan is a vibrant democracy BY Mehmood Zaman
When the British colonialists left in 1947 after the establishment of Pakistan and India, they let the flame of Kashmir burning as a cavernous dispute that subsequently led to three wars between the two neighbouring states. It goes without saying how colossal damage this region had to countenance in terms of economy and human loss in addition to deepening the gulf of mistrust in South Asia and ultimately supplementing that level of tension which is yet to be resolved in the region of one0-fifth of the poorest of the poor humanity. The episode has been more or less identical after the Americans laid their hands off the war against the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan when Russian forces withdrew in 1991. Washington once rained their own creation of “Mujahideen” with dollars, gunpowder and sophisticated weaponry. So much so they were invited to the White House as a token of fraternity and showing to the world that the ‘Mujahideen’ were theirs. But Americans all of a sudden left the ‘crusaders’ in lurch after 1991 without thinking what would they do in areas which have no productive activity. Most of the ‘Mujahideen” were illiterate and knew no art except playing with triggers of the gun and they ultimately created a situation that posed a threat to the world peace; they began with the 9/11 tragedy and their terrorism goes on unabated till this hour. The rise of militancy and terrorism in the areas bordering Afghanistan particularly after 2004 can thus only be attributed to the varied US policy which ranged between pampering militants and abandoning them to create trouble for Pakistan in particular. Pakistan now seems to have been left alone to confront these extremists who think bomb blasts, suicide attacks and kidnapping and killing of government and army men is their pastime. What the western powers are now providing and have committed to provide to Pakistan in terms of financial and technical assistance is by no means enough to overcome the damage and loss Pakistan has already suffered. Pakistan must have suffered a loss of billions of dollars in a situation when the worldwide recession had taken a heavy toll of even the most robust of the world economies. No doubt the assistance given so far and committed hardly constitutes mere peanuts. Before the country’s armed forces took upon themselves to curb the twin menace of terrorism and militancy, the situation had deteriorated to a degree that former US ambassador to Pakistan Chamberlain had stated on record that most Pakistanis understand that the ongoing conflict was a conspiracy to disintegrate Pakistan and the United States was fully collaborating with India and Israel to achieve their ‘evil design’. Washington has never so far issued any contradiction to the thought of its own ambassador or clarified the US position viz a viz Pakistan . The US and its so-called think tanks, presumably the creation of senior George W Bush’s ‘New World Order’ have rather hurling one threat or the other in regular intervals on Pakistan portraying it the way best suited to their whims. Sometime back, Newsweek named Pakistan the most dangerous place on earth. Now, the US Policy Journal has come up with its own list of failed states placing Pakistan among the top 10 after Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Chad, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Ivory Coast. The ranking has been done by the Fund for Peace, stated to be an independent research organization of the United States, on the basis of the following factors: demographic pressure, refugees/internally dislocated peoples, group grievance, uneven development, economic decline, delegitimisation of the state, public service, human rights, factionalized elites and external intervention. Interestingly, the report has placed India 87th among the 177 countries under study. At the same time, other South Asian countries like Sri Lanka has found 12th place, Bangladesh 19th and Nepal 25th. The chart is designed with the maximum point of 10 for any indicator – the more failed a state is, the higher the score would be on most indicators. According to the chart, out of the 12 indicators of instability, Pakistan’s least worrisome performance has been in economy and public services. Group grievances, security apparatus and external intervention are among the higher scoring indicators. It is generally believed that the chart is biased and is part of an international conspiracy to besmirch the fair name of Pakistan. The factors counted against Pakistan are, without an iota of doubt, the handiwork of the US policy-makers and the drone attacks and the place of their offensive. Can this be, in any way, counted as a factor against Pakistan, it is anybody’s guess. . Going by the theory coined by the west what about failed states, it melts down to the hypothesis that they can no longer perform basic functions such as education, security and governance, usually due to fractious violence or extreme poverty. Within this power vacuum, people fall victim to competing factions and crime, and sometimes the United Nations or neighbouring states intervene to prevent a humanitarian disaster. However, states fail not only because of internal factors. Foreign governments can also knowingly destabilize a state by fuelling ethnic warfare or supporting rebel forces, causing it to collapse. Pakistan has consistently been subjected to such a direct and indirect intervention and Washington and its Foreign Policy Journal and the ‘independent’ researchers know very well which power is persistently attempting to destabilize Pakistan. Even in the case of Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan, other countries in the same group, they were destabilized by the only super power which undoubtedly cultivates the fantasy of ruling the entire world and usurping their natural resources in this era of neo-colonialism spearheaded by the United States of America. The report has posed a host of questions about its veracity and credibility and the “independence” of the research organization is open to a major inquiry. No-one can be absolutely sure of the profile of the research organization. In fact, this is the first time many Pakistanis have learnt about this. And look at its timing. It has come at a critical juncture of Pakistan’s history when our armed forces have been assigned by the democratically elected government the audacious job of weeding out terrorists and militants, a demon created and strengthened by the US and its western allies to a giant size portrait which rose to challenge Pakistan’s security and unity. Another question arises as to the yardstick determined by the “independent” research organization in the form of certain criteria; was it sufficient to reflect on the actual socio-economic and political health of a country. There may be more decisive factors to reach so sweeping a conclusion as to undermine the status of a nation state. And above all, the “independent” organization has faltered in appreciating the degree of fair governance that has been the hallmark of the PPP-led coalition government that has made reconciliation and democratic accommodation as the cornerstone of its political policy. The government ensued a general election on which no accusation finger was pointed out throughout the world. Subsequently, all the state institutions like parliament, adjudicator, administration and media started functioning like any other vibrant democracy. For example, the latest step to constitute a parliamentary committee to restore the 1973 Constitution to its original spirit consonant to federal parliamentary democracy, may only be appreciated as a attempt to create political and democratic harmony in the country. Besides, this is also for the first time that the US and other western countries have chosen to say good-by to a host of usual pre-conditions for economic and military aid and waved all provisions as a new gesture. Rather, they have not only made a common cause with Pakistan in its war on terror but also requested other developed states and their economic alliances to do so. Could such a gesture possible if the west found Pakistan a failing state; no-one can trust such a state. Still more, the way the national economy has taken off from almost zero should have also found place in the consideration of the “independent” organization. This is not merely a claim but has been substantiated from the fact that all the major donor agencies and loaning institutions, like the World Bank, the IMF, the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank have concluded a host of agreements with Islamabad for the development of its social sector and all other fields of activity like agriculture, industry and building of power dams and water reservoirs. Besides, the US and all other major powers of the world have increasingly been appreciating Islamabad’s efforts to curb extremism, militancy and terrorism with extremely limited resources. Is this global appreciation not a factor to reckon Pakistan’s ability to fight out so huge a demon as to endanger the world peace. This factor alone certainly counts heavily for the success of Pakistan as a nation state. Just a passing reference of the report on India and its neighbours in South Asia. From the rank, the “independent” research organization has given in the region having more or less similar environment, the only conclusion come to the mind is that either India is attempting to weaken other states in the region or all other members of the SAARC have joined hands to make the Indian state formidable. What is the answer, the authors of the report alone are qualified to give. Successful measures against Terrorism Waqar Mehdi Pakistan has made some gains in its resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism. The present government adopted a two-pronged strategy to counter the threat of terrorism emanating from the Taliban advanced to within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of Islamabad in early April. A determined military operation was launched in Swat whereas security measures were made especially stringent after a suicide attack on the Rescue 15 building killing two policemen in early June 2009. The night-time assault had come in the same week as another suicide blast killed 38 people during Friday prayers at a mosque in Upper Dir, near three northwest districts hit by the military offensive aimed at crushing Taliban fighters. The Rescue 15 suicide blast was the first such attack in Islamabad in more than two months, after a suicide bomber killed eight paramilitary police at a camp on April 4. Realizing the gravity of the situation Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani addressed the nation on 7 May wherein he summoned the military to crush militancy and terrorism in Swat and Malakand with an iron hand and vowed to establish the writ of the government at all costs. The northwest offensive had broad public support and despite the consequences of the operation especially on the locals, the government persevered. The United Nations Commissioner for Refugees announced that between 150,000 to 200,000 civilians had fled the war zone. By early June 2009, most of Swat was freed from Taliban and Mingora, the main town of Swat, was in complete government control. According to reports around 1200 militants were killed in the operation. Then on August 5 Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was reportedly killed in a CIA missile strike. On 14 August Pakistan urged Taliban militants recovering from the apparent slaying of their leader Baitullah Mehsud to surrender, promising that those who did would be treated fairly. ‘Say goodbye to terrorism and start a new life,’ Interior Minister Rehman Malik appealed to the militants in televised comments to the media. ‘This is a new day.’ He said those surrendering would be treated on case to case basis, with authorities deciding between ‘leniency’ and prosecution. Within Islamabad the Traffic Police as well as the Islamabad Police have established security stop checks all over the city ensuring that no unauthorized or suspicious vehicle enters parts of the city especially the constitution avenue which opens into the diplomatic enclave home to foreign diplomats as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy. Taxis are not allowed to enter the so called ‘red zone’. Though the measures are said to have caused some inconvenience to commuters inside Islamabad, they seem to have benefited the security situation in the city as there has been no attack since the Rescue 15 incident in June. On 13 July Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that militants in Swat had been defeated and security forces were in control of the region, several militant commanders had been killed and Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah killed. He also disclosed that a man named Zubair, a suspect in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team belonged to Dera Ghazi Khan but he had and his accomplices had been traced in Makeen area of Waziristan. Some arrests had also been made in Buner and Rawalpindi division. “All roads lead to South Waziristan,” he added. Meanwhile, Islamabad police claimed on 13 July to have arrested two terrorists who were allegedly involved in four suicides attacks and were planning more terrorist activities in the capital. Mohammad Ovais, 34, of Adyala Road, and Obaidullah Khan, 30, of Westridge, were picked up from Sector I-11 on July 5 by a joint team of city police and intelligence agencies. According to sources, they were traced when they contacted another alleged terrorist, Fidaullah, in Adyala jail and delivered Rs100,000 and a mobile phone to him. They and their accomplices were involved in planning suicide attacks on personnel of the special branch on March 23 and Frontier Constabulary on April 4. There was also information about a suicide attack on a lawyers’ rally. The alleged terrorists had close links with militants of Miranshah, Batagram and Buner and were trained in operating modern weapons and making explosive devices. They were also involved in recruiting teenagers for suicide attacks on security forces. According to the sources, the accused have confessed to having sent over a dozen youth to militant training camps from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Azad Kashmir. The suspects also had links with one Shoaib of Lahore who arranged funds for terrorist activities. Owais, hailing from Poonch district, and Obaidullah of Attock worked for one Tipu who was affiliated with a militant group named Ghazi Force. Owais had earlier received militant training as a member of Harkatul Mujahideen. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operation) Bani Amin said Owais was an expert in electronics and communication technology and he had got a diploma in navigation from Karachi, but he drove a taxi in the twin cities. He also worked for the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan to scan communication of security forces. Obaidullah had a diploma in associate engineering and taught in a computer college in G-9/3. The DIG said that police had arrested dozens of people allegedly affiliated with the Ghazi Force, Baitullah Meshud’s TTP, Buner group, Momin Khan group, Ilyas Kashmiri group and Al Qaeda. Both the accused were handed over to Aabpara police for interrogation in connection with suicide attacks in Aabpara Market, Islamabad in July 2007 and at Special Branch headquarters on March 23 this year. The above arrests show that close monitoring by Islamabad Police of the local security situation and intelligence gathering against terrorists have resulted in averting terrorist attacks in the city (The writer is Special Assistant to the CM Sindh for Press and Media) TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE WHEREAS it is expedient to undertake necessary legislative, executive and judicial reforms for granting self-governance to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; NOW, THEREFORE, the Government of Pakistan is pleased to make the following Order:- 1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Order may be called the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009. It extends to the whole of areas Gilgit-Baltistan. It shall come into force on at once.
PART. I-PRELIMINARY 2. Definitions.- (1) In this Order, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context.- (a) “Assembly” means the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly; (b) “Citizen” unless otherwise expressed in this Order “citizen” means a person who has a domicile of Gilgit-Baltistan; © “Council” means the Gilgit-Baltistan Council constituted under this Order; (d) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Council who shall be the Prime Minister of Pakistan; (e) “Financial year” means the year commencing on the first day of July and ending on the thirtieth day of June; (f) “Gilgit-Baltistan” means the areas comprising districts of Astore, Diamer, Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza-Nagar, Skardu and such other districts as may be created from time to time; (g) “Governor” means the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and includes a person for the time being acting as, or performing the functions of the Governor; (h) “Government” means the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (i) “Joint Sitting” means a joint sitting of the Assembly, the Federal Minister in-charge of the Council Secretariat and the members of the Council; (j) “Judge” in relation to the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court or the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, includes the Chief Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court and the Chief Court; (k) “person” includes any body politic or corporate; (l) “prescribed” means prescribed by law or rules made thereunder; (m) “Property” includes any right, title or interest in property, movable or immovable, and any means and instruments of production; (n) “remuneration” includes salary and pension; (o) “Service of Gilgit-Baltistan” means any service, post or office in connection with the affairs of Gilgit-Baltistan including the Council, but does not include service as Chairman of the Council, Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister, Minister, Federal Minister in-charge of the Council Secretariat or Advisor, Parliamentary Secretary, Advisor to the Minister or a member of the Assembly or member of the Council; and (p) “Speaker” means Speaker of the Assembly and includes any person acting as the Speaker of the Assembly. (q) “Vice Chairman of the Council” means the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.
PART. II-FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS 3. Security of person.- No person shall be deprived of liberty save in accordance with law. 4. Safeguard as to arrest and detention.- (1) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest, nor shall he be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice. (2) Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest Magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the Court of the Magistrate, and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a Magistrate. (3) Nothing in Clauses (1) and (2) shall apply to any person- (a) who for the time being is an enemy alien, or (b) who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention. (4) No law providing for preventive detention shall authorize the detention of a person for a period exceeding three months unless the review board set up by the Government has reported before the expiration of the said period of three months that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention. (5) When any person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing for preventive detention, the authority making the order shall as soon as may be, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, and shall afford him the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the order: Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against the public interest to disclose. 5. Slavery and forced labour prohibited.- (1) No person shall be held in slavery, and no law shall permit or in any way facilitate the introduction into Gilgit-Baltistan of slavery in any form. (2) All forms of forced labour are prohibited. (3) Nothing in this clause shall be deemed to affect compulsory service- (a) by persons undergoing punishment for offences under any law; or (b) required by any law for a public purpose. 6. Protection against retrospective punishment.- No law shall authorize the punishment of a person- (a) for an act or omission that was not punishable by law at the time of the act or omission; or (b) for an offence by a penalty greater than, or of a kind different form, the penalty prescribed by law for that offence at the time the offence was committed. 7. Freedom of movement.- Subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest, every citizen shall have the right to move freely throughout the Gilgit-Baltistan and to reside and settle in any part thereof. 8. Freedom of assembly.- Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of morality or public order. 9. Freedom of association.- (1) Subject to this Order, every citizen shall have the right to form association or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of morality or public order. (2) No person or political party in the area comprising Gilgit-Baltistan shall propagate against, or take part in activities prejudicial or detrimental to the ideology of Pakistan. 10. Freedom of trade, business or profession.- Every citizen possessing such qualifications, if any, as may be prescribed by law in relation to his profession or occupation shall have the right to enter upon any lawful profession or occupation, and to conduct any lawful trade or business: Provided that nothing in this Article shall prevent- (a) the regulation of any trade or profession by a licensing system; or (b) the regulation of trade, commerce or industry in the interest of free competition therein; or © the carrying on, by Government or the Council, or by a corporation controlled by Government or the Council, of any trade, business, industry or service, to the exclusion, complete or partial, or other persons.
11. Freedom of speech.- Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the security of area Gilgit-Baltistan, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of Court, commission of, or incitement to an offence. 12. Freedom of religion.- Subject to law, public order and morality- (a) every citizen has the right to profess and practice his religion; and (b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof has the right to establish, maintain and manage its places of worship. 13. Safeguard against taxation for purposes of any particular religion.- No person shall be compelled to pay any special tax the proceeds of which are to be spent on the propagation or maintenance of any religion other than his own. 14. Safeguard as to educational institutions in respect of religion etc.- (1) No person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instructions or take part in any religious ceremony, or attend religious worship, if such instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own. (2) No religious community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for pupils of that community or denomination in any educational institution maintained wholly by that community or denomination. (3) No citizen shall be denied admission to any educational institution receiving aid from public revenues on the ground only of race, religion, caste or place of birth. (4) In respect of any religious institution, there shall be no discrimination against any community in the granting of exemption or concession in relation to taxation. (5) Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent any public authority from making provision for the advancement of any society or educationally backward class. 15. Provisions as to property.- Subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest, every citizen shall have the right to acquire, hold and dispose of property. 16. Protection of property.- (1) No person shall be deprived of his property save in accordance with law. (2) No property shall be compulsorily acquired or taken possession of save for a public purpose, and save by the authority of law which provides for compensation therefor and either fixes the amount of compensation or specifies the principles on which and the manner in which compensation is to be determined and given. (3) Nothing in this clause shall, affect the validity of- (a) any law permitting the compulsory acquisition or taking possession of any property for preventing danger to life, property or public health; or (b) any law relating to the acquisition, administration or disposal of any property which is or is deemed to be evacuee property under any law; or © any law permitting the taking over of any property which has been acquired by, or come into the possession of, any person by any unfair means, or in any manner, contrary to law ; or (d) any law providing for the taking over of the management of any property by the Government for a limited period, either in the public interest or in order to secure the proper management of the property, or for the benefit of its owner; or (e) any law providing for the acquisition of any class of property for the purpose of- (i) providing education and medical aid to all or any specified class of citizen; or (ii) providing housing and public facilities and services such as roads, water supply, sewerage, gas and electric power to all or any specified class of citizen; or (iii) providing maintenance to those who, on account of unemployment, sickness, infirmity or old age, are unable to maintain themselves; or (f) any law in force immediately before the coming into force of this Order. Explanation.- In clauses (2) and (3), the expression ‘property’ means immovable property, or any commercial or industrial undertaking, or any interest in any undertaking. 17. Equality of citizens.- All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. 18. Non-discrimination in respect of access to public places.- In respect of access to places of public entertainment or resort, not intended for religious purposes only, there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex or place of birth, but nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the making of any special provision for women. 19. Safeguard against discrimination in services.- No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the services of areas comprising Gilgit-Baltistan shall be discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of race, religion, caste or sex: Provided that, in the interest of the said service, specified posts or services may be reserved for members of either sex.
PART. III-GOVERNOR 20. The Governor.- (1) There shall be a Governor of the Gilgit-Baltistan who shall be appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister of Pakistan:
(a) Notwithstanding any thing contained in this Order, the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan shall act as the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan till the appointment of the first Governor. (b) provided that after the first election under this Order, in the absence of Governor, the Speaker of Legislative Assembly shall act as acting Governor. (3) A person shall not be appointed as Governor unless he is qualified to be elected as a member of the Assembly or the National Assembly of Pakistan and is not less than thirty five years of age.
(4) The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President and shall be entitled to such salary, allowances and privileges as the President may determine.
(5) The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
(6) The President may make such provision as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the Governor in any contingency not provided for in this Order.
(7) Before entering upon office, the Governor shall make before the Chief Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court an oath in the form set out in the First Schedule.
(8) The Governor shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan or of Pakistan nor occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services.
(9) The Governor shall not be a candidate for election as a member of the Assembly, and, if a member of the Assembly is appointed as Governor, his seat in the Assembly shall become vacant on the day he enters upon his office. 21. Governor to act on advice, etc.- (1) Subject to this Order in the performance of his functions, the Governor shall act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or the Chief Minister: Provided that the Governor may require the Cabinet or, as the case may be, the Chief Minister to reconsider such advice, whether generally or otherwise, and the Governor shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration. (2) The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered to the Governor by the Chief Minister or the Cabinet shall not be inquired into in, or by, any court, tribunal or other authority. PART. IV-THE GOVERNMENT 22. The Government.- (1) Subject to this Order, the executive authority of Gilgit-Baltistan shall be exercised in the name of the Governor by the Government through Cabinet consisting of the Chief Minister and the Ministers, which shall act through the Chief Minister who shall be the Chief Executive. (2) In the performance of his functions under this Order, the Chief Minister may act either directly or through the Ministers. (3) The Chief Minister and the Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Assembly. (4) Orders and other instructions made and executed in the name of the Governor shall be authenticated in such manner as may be specified in rules to be made by the Government, and the validity of an order or instruction which is so authenticated shall not be questioned in any court on the ground that it is not an order or instruction made or executed by the Governor. (5) The Governor, in consultation with Chairman of the Council, may regulate the allocation and transaction of its business and may for the convenient transaction of that business delegate any of its functions to officers or authorities subordinate to it. 23. The Chief Minister.- (1) The Assembly shall meet on the thirtieth day following the day on which a general election to the Assembly is held, unless sooner summoned by the Governor. (2) After the election of the Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker, the Assembly shall, to the exclusion of any other business, proceed to elect, without debate, one of its members to be the Chief Minister. (3) The Chief Minister shall be elected by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the Assembly; Provided that, if no member secures such majority in the first poll, a second poll shall be held between the members who secure the two highest numbers of votes in the first poll and the member who secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting shall be declared to have been elected as Chief Minister: Provided further that, if the number of votes secured by two members securing the highest number of votes is equal, further poll shall be held between them until one of them secures a majority of the members present and voting. (4) The member elected under clause (3) shall be invited by the Governor to assume the office of Chief Minister and he shall, before entering upon the office make before the Governor oath in the form set out in the First Schedule. 24. Ministers.- (1) The Governor shall appoint Ministers from amongst the members of the Assembly on the advice of Chief Minister (2) Before entering upon office, a Minister shall make before the Governor oath in the form set out in the First Schedule. (3) A Minister may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Minister, resign his office or may be removed from office by the Chief Minister. 25. Advisors to Chief Minister.- The Governor may, on the advice of Chief Minister, appoint not more then two Advisors on such term and conditions, as he may determine. 26. Parliamentary Secretaries.- (1) The Chief Minister may appoint Parliamentary Secretaries from amongst the members of the Assembly to perform such functions as may be prescribed. (2) A Parliamentary Secretary may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Minister, resign his office or may be removed from office by the Chief Minister. 27. Resignation of Chief Minister.- (1) Subject to clause (2) the Chief Minister may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor, resign his office and, when the Chief Minister resigns, the Ministers shall cease to hold office. (2) If the Assembly is in session at the time when the Chief Minister resigns his office, the Assembly shall forthwith proceed to elect a Chief Minister, and if the Assembly is not in session the Governor shall for that purpose summon it to meet within fourteen days of the resignation. 28. Vote of no-Confidence against Chief Minister.- (1) A resolution for a vote of no-confidence moved by not less than twenty percent of the total membership of the Assembly may be passed against the Chief Minister by the Assembly.
(2) A resolution shall not be moved in the Assembly unless by the same resolution the name of another member of the Assembly is put forward as the successor. (3) A resolution shall not be moved in the Assembly while the Assembly is considering demands for grants submitted to it in the Annual Budget. (4) A resolution shall not be voted upon before the expiration of three days, or later than seven days, form the date on which it is moved in the Assembly. (5) If the resolution is passed by majority of the total membership of the Assembly, the Chief Minister and the Ministers appointed by him shall cease to hold office. (6) If a resolution is not passed another such resolution shall not be moved until a period of six months has elapsed. 29. Chief Minister Continuing in Office.- The Governor may ask the Chief Minister to continue to hold office until his successor enters upon the office of the Chief Minister. 30. Minister performing functions of Chief Minister.- (1) In the event of the death of the Chief Minister or the office of the Chief Minister becoming vacant by reason of his ceasing to be member of the Assembly or he resigns his office, the most senior Minister for the time being shall be called upon by the Governor to perform the functions of that office and the Minister shall continue in office until a new Chief Minister has been elected and has entered upon his office. (2) If the Assembly is in session at the time when the Chief Minister dies or the office of the Chief Minster becomes vacant, the Assembly shall forthwith proceed to elect a Chief Minister, and if the Assembly is not in session the Governor shall for that purpose summon it to meet within fourteen days of the death of the Chief Minister or, as the case may be, of the office becoming vacant. (3) When, for any reason, the Chief Minister is unable to perform his functions, the most senior Minister for the time being shall perform functions of Chief Minister until the Chief Minister resumes his functions. (4) In this Article ‘most senior Minister’ means the Minister for the time being designated as such by the Chief Minister by notification in the official Gazette. 31. Extent of Executive Authority of Government.- (1) Subject to this Order, the executive authority of the Government shall extend to the matters with respect to which the Assembly has power to make laws. (2) The executive authority of the Government shall be so exercised as to secure compliance with the laws made by the Council and Pakistan laws. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, the Government may with the consent of the Council, entrust, either conditionally or unconditionally, to the Council, or to its officers functions in relation to any matter which the executive authority of the Government extends. 32. Advocate General.- (1) The Governor shall appoint a citizen, being a person qualified to be appointed as Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, to be the Advocate General for Gilgit-Baltistan. (2) It shall be the duty of the Advocate General to give advice to Government upon such legal matter, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may be referred or assigned to him by the Government. (3) The Advocate General shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. (4) The Advocate General may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor resign his office.
(5) The person holding the office as Advocate General immediately before the commencement of this Order shall be deemed to be the Advocate General, appointed under this Order.
PART. V-GILGIT-BALTISTAN COUNCIL 33. Gilgit-Baltistan Council.- (1) There shall be a Gilgit-Baltistan Council consisting of.-
(2) The Prime Minister of Pakistan shall be the Chairman of the Council. (3) The Governor shall be the Vice-Chairman of the Council. (4) The Minister of State for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan shall be an ex officio non voting member of the Council. (5) The qualifications and disqualifications for being elected, as, and for being, a member of the Council shall, in the case of a member referred to in sub-clause (e) of clause (1), be the same as those for being elected as, and for being a member of the Assembly. (6) The seat of a member of the Council elected by the Assembly, hereinafter referred to as an elected member, shall become vacant,- (a) if he resigns his seat by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Chairman or, in his absence, to the Secretary of the Council; (b) if he is absent, without the leave of the Chairman, from ten consecutive sittings of the Council; © if he fails to make the oath referred to in clause (11) within a period of ninety days after the date of his election, unless the Chairman, for good cause shown, extends the period; or (d) if he ceases to be qualified for being a member under any provision of this Order or any other law for the time being in force. (7) If any question arises whether a member has, after his election, become disqualified from being a member of the Council, the Chairman shall refer the question to the Chief Election Commissioner and, if the Chief Election Commissioner is of the opinion that the member has become disqualified, the member shall cease to be member and his seat shall become vacant. (8) An election to fill a vacancy in the office of an elected member shall be held not later than thirty days from the occurrence of the vacancy or, if the election cannot be held within that period because the Assembly is dissolved, within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly. (9) The manner of election of elected members and filling of a casual vacancy in the office of an elected member shall be such as may be prescribed. (10) An elected member shall hold office during term of the Council. (11) An elected member shall, before entering upon office, make before the Chairman or the Vice Chairman oath in the form set out in the First Schedule.
(12) The executive authority of the Council shall extend to all matters with respect to which the Council has power to make laws and shall be exercised, in the name of the Council, by the Chairman who may act either directly or through the Secretariat of the Council of which Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan shall be incharge. Provided that the Council may direct that, in respect of such matters it may specify, its authority shall be exercisable by the Vice-Chairman of the Council, subject to such conditions, if any, as the Council may specify. (13) The Chairman may from among the elected members of the Council appoint not more than three Advisors on such terms and conditions as he may determine. (14) An advisor shall, before entering upon office, make before the Chairman oath in form set out in the First Schedule. (15) An Advisor who is a member of the Assembly shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise take part in the proceedings of the Council, but shall not by virtue of this clause be entitled to vote. (16) The Council may make rules for regulating its procedure and the conduct of its business, and shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership thereof, and any proceedings of the Council shall not be invalid on the ground that a person who was not entitled to do so sat, voted or otherwise took part in the proceedings. (17) Orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of the Council shall be authenticated in such manner as may be specified in rules to be made by the Council and the validity of an order or instrument which is so authenticated shall not be called in question on the ground that it is not an order or instrument made or executed by the Council. (18) The Chairman may regulate the allocation and transaction of the business of the Council and may, for the convenient transaction of that business, delegate any of its functions to officers and authorities subordinate to it. Explanation: In this Article the expression ‘Chairman’ means Chairman of the Council. 34. Chairman of Council power to pardon and reprieve.- The Chairman shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority. PART. VI-THE LEGISLATURE 35. Legislative Assembly.- (1) The Legislative Assembly shall consist of thirty three members of whom- (a) twenty four members shall be elected directly on the basis of adult franchise; (b) six women members shall be elected on the pattern as in case of reserved seat in Pakistan. © three technocrats and other professional members shall be elected on the pattern as in case of reserved seat in Pakistan. Explanation.- In sub-clause ©, the expression “technocrat or other professional” includes a person who is in possession of such qualification or experience as may be prescribed. (2) The manner of election of the members of the Assembly and the manner of filling casual vacancies shall be such as may be prescribed. (3) The Assembly, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for their first meeting. (4) A general election to the Assembly shall be held within a period of sixty days immediately proceeding the day on which the term of the Assembly is due to expire, unless the Assembly has been sooner dissolved, and result of the election shall be declared not later than fourteen days before that day. 36. Oath of members of the Assembly.- (1) A person elected as a member of the Assembly shall not take his seat in the Assembly until he makes before such person as is prescribed by rules of the Assembly an oath in the form set out in the First Schedule. (2) The oath may be made when the Assembly is in session. (3) If any person sits or votes in the Assembly knowing that he is not qualified to be, or is disqualified from being a member of the Assembly he shall be liable in respect of every day on which he so sits or votes; shall be guilty of an offence punishable for a term which shall not be less than seven years and a fine which shall not be less than two hundred thousand rupees. 37. Qualifications of members of the Assembly.- (1) A person shall be qualified to be elected as, and to be, a member of the Assembly if- (a) he is a citizen; (b) he is not less than twenty-five years of age; and © his name appears on the electoral roll of any constituency in Gilgit-Baltistan.. (2) A person shall be disqualified from being so elected if- (a) he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (b) he is an undischarged insolvent unless a period of ten years has elapsed since his being adjudged as insolvent; or © he has been on conviction for any offence sentenced to transportation for any term or imprisonment for a term of not less than two years unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release; or (d) he holds any office of profit in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan or in the service of Pakistan other than a office which is not a whole time office remunerated either by salary or by fee other than an office specified in the Second Schedule; or (e) he has been in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and AJ&K or of any statutory body or any body which is owned or controlled by the Government of Pakistan, AJ&K and Gilgit-Baltistan or in which the Government has a controlling share or interest, unless a period of two years has elapsed since he ceased to be in such service; or
(f) he has been dismissed for misconduct from the service of Gilgit-Baltistan or the service of Pakistan unless a period of five years has elapsed since his dismissal; or (g) he is otherwise disqualified from being a member of the Assembly by this Order or by any other law.
38. Seat in Assembly becomes vacant under certain circumstances.- (1) The seat of a member of the Assembly shall become vacant if-
(a) he resigns his seat by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker, in his absence, to the Secretary of the Assembly; or (b) he is absent from the Assembly without the leave of the Assembly for thirty consecutive sitting days of the Assembly; or © he fails to make the oath referred to in Article 36 within a period of ninety days after the date of his election unless the Speaker for good cause shown extends the period; or (d) he is elected as member of the Council; or (e) he ceases to be qualified for being a member under any provision of this Order or any other law.
(2) If the member of the Assembly is elected to more than one seat, he shall within a period of thirty days after the declaration of result for the last such seat, resign all but one of his seats, and if he does not so resign, all the seats to which he has been elected shall become vacant at the expiration of the said period of thirty days except the seat to which he has been last elected or, if he has been elected to more than one seat on the same day, the seat for election to which his nomination was filed last. (3) If any question arises whether a member of the Assembly has, after his election become disqualified from being a member of the Assembly, the Speaker shall refer the question to the Chief Election Commissioner and, if the Chief Election Commissioner is of the opinion that the member has become disqualified the member shall cease to be a member and his seat shall become vacant. (4) When except by dissolution of the Assembly, a seat in the Assembly has become vacant not later than one hundred and twenty days before the term of the Assembly is due to expire, an election to fill the seat shall be held within sixty days from the occurrence of the vacancy.
39. Right of Governor to address the Assembly. - (1) The Governor may address the Assembly and may for that purpose require the attendance of the members. (2) The Advocate General shall have the right to speak and otherwise take part in the proceedings of the Assembly or any Committee thereof of which he may be named a member, but shall not by virtue of this Article be entitled to vote. 40. Meetings of the Assembly.- (1) The Assembly shall assemble at such times and at such places as the Governor may appoint, and the Governor may prorogue a session of the Assembly except when the Assembly has been summoned by the Speaker. (2) Any meeting of the Assembly may be adjourned by the Speaker or other person presiding thereat. (3) There shall be at least three sessions of the Assembly every year, and not more than one hundred and twenty days shall intervene between the last sitting of the Assembly in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session. Provided that the Assembly shall meet for not less than one hundred and thirty working days in each parliamentary year. (4) On a requisition signed by not less than one-third of the total membership of the Assembly, the Speaker shall summon the Assembly to meet, at such time and place as he thinks fit, within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition, and when the Speaker has summoned the Assembly, only he may prorogue it.
41. Dissolution of the Assembly.- (1) The Governor shall dissolve the Assembly if so advised by the Chief Minister, and the Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, stands dissolved at the expiration of the forty-eight hours after the Chief Minister has so advised.
Explanation.- Reference in this Article to Chief Minister shall not be construed to include reference to a Chief Minister against whom a resolution for a vote of no-confidence has been moved in the Assembly but has not been voted upon or against whom such a resolution has been passed or who is continuing in office after his resignation or after the dissolution of the Assembly or a Minister performing the functions of Chief Minister under clause (I) or clause (3) of Article 30. (2) When the Assembly is dissolved a general election to the Assembly shall be held within a period of ninety days after the dissolution, and the result of the election shall be declared not later than fourteen days after the conclusion of the polls.
42. Speaker of the Assembly.- (1) After a general election, the Assembly shall, at its first meeting and to the exclusion of any other business, elect from amongst its members a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. Provided that the period intervening between the declaration of the official result of the election to the Assembly and the date for assumption of office of members shall not exceed thirty days. (2) Before entering upon office, a member of the Assembly elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall make before the Assembly an oath in the form set out in the First Schedule. (3) All the proceedings of the Assembly shall be conducted in accordance with rules of procedures made by the Assembly and approved by the Governor. (4) The Speaker shall preside the meetings of the Assembly except when a resolution for his removal from the office is being considered and, when the office of the Speaker is vacant, or the Speaker is absent, or is unable to perform his functions due to any cause, the Deputy Speaker shall act as Speaker and if at that time, the Deputy Speaker is also absent or is unable to act as Speaker due to any cause, such member of the Assembly present as may be determined by the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly shall preside at the meeting of the Assembly. (5) Soon after as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the Assembly shall elect one of its members to fill the office. (6) The Speaker may resign from his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor. (7) The Deputy Speaker may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker. (8) The office of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall become vacant if- (a) except as provided in clause (9) he ceases to be a member of the Assembly; or (b) he is removed from office by a resolution of the Assembly, of which not less than seven days’ notice by not less than one-fourth of the total membership of the Assembly has been given and which is passed by a majority of total membership of the Assembly. (9) When the Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker shall continue in his office till the person elected to fill the office by the next Assembly enters upon his office. 43. Voting in Assembly and quorum.- (1) Subject to this Order,- (a) a decision in the Assembly shall be taken by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting but the Speaker or the person presiding in his absence shall not vote except when there is an equality of votes in which case he shall exercise his casting vote; (b) the Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership; and © any proceedings in the Assembly shall not be invalid on the ground that some person who was not entitled to do so sit, voted or otherwise took part in the proceedings.
(2) If at any time during the meeting of the Assembly the attention of the person presiding at the meeting is drawn to the fact that number of the members is less than one-third of the total membership of the Assembly, it shall be the duty of the person presiding either to adjourn the meeting or to suspend the meeting till such number of members are present.
44. Restriction on discussion in Assembly, etc.- No discussion shall take place in the Assembly or the Council or the joint sitting with respect to matters relating to Foreign Affairs, Defence, Internal Security and Fiscal Plans of Government of Pakistan and the conduct of the any Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court or the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court in the discharge of his duties. 45. Finance Committee.- (1) The expenditure of the Assembly within authorized appropriation shall be controlled by the Assembly acting on the advice of the Finance Committee. (2) The Finance Committee shall consist of the Speaker, the Finance Minister and such other members as may be elected thereto by the Assembly.
46. Secretariat of the Assembly.- (1) The Assembly shall have a separate Secretariat. (2) The Assembly may by law regulate the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to the Secretariat Staff of the Assembly. (3) Until provision is made by the Assembly under clause (2) the persons appointed to the Secretariat Staff of the Assembly shall continue to be governed by conditions of service for the time being applicable to them. PART. VII-DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE POWERS 47. Legislative Powers.- (1) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this Article, both the Council and the Assembly shall have the power to make laws,- (a) for the territories of Gilgit-Baltistan; (b) for all citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan; and © for the officers of the Council or as the case may be, the Government, wherever they may be. (2) Subject to clause (3)- (a) the Council shall have exclusive power to make laws with respect to any matter in the Council Legislative List set out in the Third Schedule, hereinafter referred to as the Council Legislative List; and (b) the Assembly shall, and the Council shall not, have power to make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the Fourth Schedule referred to as the Assembly Legislative List. © The Council shall have the powers to adopt any amendment in the existing Laws or any new Law in force in Pakistan. (3) The Government of Pakistan shall have exclusive power to make laws in respect of any matter not enumerated in the Council Legislative List or the Assembly Legislative List by Order notified in the official Gazette. 48. Tax to be levied by laws only.- No tax shall be levied for the purposes of the territories of Gilgit-Baltistan except by or under the authority of an Act of the Council or the Assembly and all taxes and levies competently imposed under an Act of the Assembly or the Council or under any law made by the Government of Pakistan shall remain in force.. PART. VIII-ISLAMIC PROVISIONS 49. No laws against Islamic Injunctions, etc.- No law shall be repugnant to the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah and all existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the Holy Quran and Sunnah. 50. Reference to Council of Islamic Ideology.- (1) If one-third of the total number of the members of the Assembly or, as the case may, the Council so requires, the Assembly or the Council shall refer to the Council of Islamic Ideology constituted under the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan (hereinafter referred to as the Islamic Council) for advice on any question as to whether a proposed law is or is not repugnant to the injunctions of Islam. (2) When a question is referred by the Assembly or the Council, as the case may be, the Council of Islamic Ideology shall, within fifteen days thereof, inform the Assembly or the Council, as the case may be, of the period within which the Council of Islamic Ideology expects to be able to furnish that advice. (3) Where the Assembly or, as the case may be, the Council considers that in the public interest, the making of the proposed law in relation to which the question arose should not be postponed until the advice of the Council of Islamic Ideology is furnished, the law may be made before the advice is furnished. Provided that, where a law is referred for advice to the Council of Islamic Ideology and the Council advises that the law is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam, the Assembly or, as the case may be, the Council shall reconsider the law so made. 51. General provisions regarding Council, etc.- (1) The validity of any proceedings in the Council or the Assembly shall not be questioned in any Court. (2) An officer or member or an authority in whom powers are vested for regulation of proceedings, conduct of business, maintain order in the Council or the Assembly shall not, in relation to exercise by him of any of those powers, be subject to the jurisdiction of any Court. (3) A member of, or a person entitled to speak in, the Council or the Assembly, shall not be liable to any proceedings in any Court in respect of anything said by him or any vote given by him in the Council or the Assembly or in any Committee thereof. (4) A person shall not be liable to any proceedings in any Court in respect of publication by or under the authority of the Council or the Assembly, of any report, paper, vote or proceedings. (5) No process issued by a Court or other authority shall except with the leave of the Chairman of the Council or the Speaker be served or executed within the precincts of the place where a meeting of the Council or, as the case may be, the Assembly is being held. (6) Subject to this Article, the privileges of the Council, the Assembly, the Committees and members of the Council, or the Assembly and of the persons entitled to speak in the Council, or the Assembly, may be determined by law. 52. Authentication of Bills Passed by the Council.- A Bill passed by the Council shall not require the assent of the Governor and shall, upon its authentication by the Chairman of the Council, become law and be called an Act of the Council. 53. Governor’s assent to Bills.- (1) Subject to this Order, when a Bill has been passed by the Assembly it shall be presented to the Governor for assent. (2) When a Bill is presented to the Governor for assent, the Governor shall, within thirty days,- (a) assent to the Bill; or (b) in the case of a Bill other then a Money Bill, return the Bill to the Assembly with a massage requesting that the Bill, or any specified provision thereof, be reconsidered and that any amendment specified in the message be considered. (3) When the Governor has returned a Bill to the Assembly, it shall be reconsidered by the Assembly and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment, by the Assembly, by the votes of the majority of the members of the Assembly present and voting, and in accordance with the provision of this Order and in not in any manner prejudicial to the security, integrity, solidarity and strategic interest of Pakistan, it shall be again presented to the Governor and Governor shall not withhold assent thereform. (4) When the Governor has assented to a Bill, it shall become law and be called an Act of Assembly. PART. IX-FINANCIAL PROCEDURE 54. Council Consolidated Fund.- (1) All revenues received by the Council, all loans raised by the Council and all moneys received by it in payment of any loan shall form a part of Consolidated Fund, to be known as the Council Consolidated Fund. (2) All other moneys- (a) received by or on behalf of the Council; or (b) received by or deposited with the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court or any other Court established under the authority of this Order shall be credited to the Public Account of the Council. (3) The Custody of the Council Consolidated Fund, the payment of money into that Fund, the withdrawal of money there from, the custody of other moneys received by or on behalf of the Council, their payment into, and withdrawal from the Public Account of the Council, and all matters connected with or ancillary to the matters aforesaid, shall be regulated by the Act of the Council or, until provision in that behalf is so made, by rules made by the Chairman of the Council. (4) The Council shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be prepared, and approve, a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure of the Council for that year. (5) The Chairman of the Council shall authenticate by his signature the statement approved by the Council under clause (4), and no expenditure from the Council Consolidated Fund shall be deemed to be duly authorized unless it is specified in the statement so authenticated. (6) If in respect of any financial year it is found: (a) that the amount authorized to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year is insufficient, or that a need has arisen for expenditure upon some new service not included in the statement referred to in clause (4) for that year; or (b) that any money has been spend on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that year, the Chairman of the Council shall have the power to authorize expenditure from the Council Consolidated Fund and shall cause to be laid before the Council a supplementary statement or, as the case may be, an excess statement, setting out the amount of that expenditure, and the provision of clause (3) and (4) shall apply to theses statements as they apply to the statement referred to in clause (3). (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this Article, the Council shall have power to make any grant in advance in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part of any financial year, not exceeding four months, pending completion of the procedure prescribed in clause (3) and (4). 55. Gilgit-Baltistan Consolidated Fund.- (1) All revenues received by the Government, all loans raised by the Government with the approval of Government of Pakistan and all moneys received by it in payment of any loan shall form a part of Consolidated Fund, to be known as the Gilgit-Baltistan Consolidated Fund. (2) All other moneys- (a) received by or on behalf of the Government; or (b) received by or deposited with any other Court established under the authority of the Government, shall be credited to the Public Account of the Government. (3) The custody of the Gilgit-Baltistan Consolidated Fund, the payment of money into that Fund, the withdrawal of money therefrom, the custody of other moneys received by or on behalf of the Government, their payment into, and withdrawal from the Public Account of the Government, and all matters connected with or ancillary to the matters aforesaid, shall be regulated by the Act of the Assembly or, until provision in that behalf is so made, by rules made by the Governor. 56. Budget.- (1) The Government shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before the Assembly a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for that year, to be called the Annual Budget.
(2) The Annual Budget shall be submitted to the Assembly in the form of demands for grant and the Assembly shall have power to assent to, or to refuse to assent to any demand, or to assent to any demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein. (3) No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the Government. (4) The Annual Budget as passed by the Assembly shall be placed before the Governor who shall authenticate it by his signature. (5) If in respect of any financial year it is found_ (a) that the amount authorized to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year is insufficient, or that a need has arisen for expenditure upon some new service not included in the Annual Budget for that year; or (b) that any money has been spend on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that year, the Government shall have the power to authorize expenditure from the Gilgit-Baltistan Consolidated Fund and shall cause to be laid before the Assembly a Budget or, as the case may be, an excess Budget, setting out the amount of that expenditure, and the provisions of this Article shall apply to those Budgets as they apply to the Annual Budget. (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this section, the Assembly shall have power to make any grant in advance in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part of any financial year, not exceeding four months, pending completion of the procedure prescribed in clause (2) for the voting of such grant and the authentication of the Budget as passed by the Assembly in accordance with the provisions of clause (4) in relation to the expenditure. 57. Special provisions regarding Budget, etc.- (1) Where the Annual Budget for any financial year cannot be passed by the Assembly by reason of its having been dissolved, the Chief Minister shall cause to be prepared an Annual Budget for that year and, by his signature, authenticate the Budget. (2) The Annual Budget for any financial year authenticated by the Chief Minister under clause (1) shall, for the purpose of this Act, be deemed to have been passed by the Assembly. 58. Restriction on expenditure.- No expenditure shall be incurred by the Government except authorized by the Annual or Supplementary Budget as passed or deemed to have been passed by the Assembly. PART. X-ORDINANCE 59. Power to make Ordinance.- (1) The Governor may, except when the Assembly is in session, if satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action, make and promulgate an Ordinance as the circumstances may require. (2) An Ordinance promulgated under this Article shall have the same force and effect as an Act of the Assembly and shall be subject to like restrictions as the power of the Assembly to make law, but every such Ordinance; shall be laid before the Assembly and shall stand repealed at the expiration of four months from its promulgation or, if before the expiration of that period a resolution disapproving it is passed by the Assembly, upon the passing of that resolution; and (b) may be withdrawn at any time by the Governor. (3) Without prejudice to the provisions of clause (2) an Ordinance laid before the Assembly or the Council shall be deemed to be a Bill introduced in the Assembly or the Council, as the case may be. (4) The Governor shall likewise, except when the Council is in session, if so advised by the Chairman of the Council, make, promulgate and withdraw an Ordinance as the circumstances may require, and the provisions of clause (2) and clause (3) shall apply to an Ordinance so made as if references therein to ‘Act of the Assembly and, Assembly were references respectively to’ Act of the Council and Council. PART. XI-THE JUDICATURE 60. Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court.- (1) There shall be constituted a Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court, referred to as the Supreme Appellate Court to be the highest Court of Appeal. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Order, the Supreme Appellate Court shall have such jurisdiction as is or may be conferred on it by this Order or by under any law. (3) The Supreme Appellate Court shall consist of a Chief Judge to be known as Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan and two other Judges: Provided that the Government of Pakistan may from time to time increase the number of judges. (4) The person holding office as Chief Judge or other Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court immediately before the commencement of this Order shall be deemed to be the Chief Judge or other Judge as the case may be appointed under this Order. (5) The Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of the Governor and other Judges shall be appointed by the Chairman on the advice of Governor after seeking views of the Chief Judge. (6) A person shall not be appointed as the Chief Judge or Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan unless he_ has been a judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan or is qualified to be a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; or has for a period of, or for periods aggregating, not less than five years been a Judge of a Chief Court; or for a period of or for periods aggregating, not less than fifteen years has been an advocate of a High Court. Explanation.- In this sub-clause, the expression ‘High Court’ includes,- the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, or an equivalent Court that existed in Gilgit-Baltistan before the 1st day of August, 2009; and a High Court in Pakistan including a High Court that existed in Pakistan at any time before the 1st day of July, 2009. (7) Before entering upon office, the Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan shall make before the Governor and any other Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan shall make before the Chief Judge, oath in the form set out in the First Schedule. (8) The Chief Judge and judges of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan shall be appointed for a term not exceeding three years and may be appointed for such further term as the Government of Pakistan may determine, unless they sooner resign or are removed from office in accordance with law. (9) At any time when the office of Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan is vacant, or the Chief Judge, is absent or unable to perform the functions of his office due to any other cause, the next senior Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court to act as Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan. (10) The remuneration and other terms and conditions of service of the Chief Judge and of a Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court shall be such as are admissible to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. (11) Subject to the succeeding provision of this Article, the Supreme Court of Gilgit-Baltistan shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from judgments, decrees, final orders or sentences of the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan. (12) An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Appellate Court of the Gilgit-Baltistan from any judgment, decree, final order or sentence of the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan,- if the Chief Court has on appeal reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced to death or to imprisonment for life; or, on revision, has enhanced a sentence to a sentence as aforesaid; or. if the Chief Court has withdrawn for trial before itself any case from any court subordinate to it and has in such trial convicted the accused person and sentenced him as aforesaid; or if the Chief Court has imposed any punishment on any person for contempt of the Chief Court; or if the amount or value of the subject matter of the dispute in the court of first instance was, and also in dispute in appeal is, not less than fifty thousand rupees or such other sum as may be specified in that behalf by Act of the Council and judgment, decree or final order appealed from has varied or set aside the judgment, decree or final order of the court immediately below; or if the judgment, decree or final order involved directly or indirectly some claim or question respecting property or the like amount or value and the judgment, decree or final order appealed from has varied or set aside the judgment, decree or final order of the court immediately below; or if the Chief Court certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of this Order. (13) An appeal to the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court of from a judgment, decree, order or sentence of the Chief Court in a case to which clause (11) does not apply shall lie only if the Supreme Appellate Court of grants leave to appeal. (14) (a) an appeal to Gilgit-Baltistan the Supreme Appellate Court shall be heard by a Bench consisting of not less than two judges to be constituted or reconstituted by the Chief Judge; (b) if the Judges hearing a petition or an appeal are divided in opinion, the opinion of majority shall prevail; © if there is no such majority as aforesaid the petition or appeal, as the case may be, shall be placed for hearing and disposal before another Judge to be nominated by the Chief Judge: Provided that in case of difference of opinion as aforesaid, the decision of the Supreme Appellate Court shall be expressed in term of opinion of the senior of the two Judges. (15) The person holding office as Chief Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan immediately before the commencement of this Order shall as from such commencement hold office as Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court under this Order on terms and conditions prescribed in this Order provided these are not inferior to the terms an conditions applicable to him immediately before such commencement. (16) All legal proceedings pending in the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court, immediately before the commencement of this Order, shall on such commencement, stand transferred to, and be deemed to be pending before the Supreme Appellate Court for determination and any judgment or order of the Supreme Appellate Court delivered or made before such commencement shall have the same force and effect as if it had been delivered or made by the Supreme Appellate Court. 61. Original Jurisdiction._ (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of Article-71, the Supreme Appellate Court, on an application of any aggrieved party, shall if it considers that a question of general public importance with reference to the enforcement of any of the fundamental right conferred by Part II of this Order is involved, have the power to make declaratory order of the nature mentioned in the said Article. (2) An application made under clause (1) shall be heard by a Bench comprising not less than two Judges to be constituted by the Chief Judge. 62. Issue and execution of processes of Supreme Appellate Court.- (1) The Supreme Appellate Court shall have powers to issue such directions, orders or decrees as may be necessary for doing complete justice in any case or matter pending before it including an order for the purpose of securing the attendance of any person or the discovery or production of any document. (2) Any such direction, order or decree shall be enforceable throughout Gilgit-Baltistan as if it has been issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court. (3) All executive and judicial authorities throughout Gilgit-Baltistan shall act in aid of the Supreme Appellate Court. (4) Subject to this Order and Law, the Supreme Appellate Court may, in consultation with the Council, make rules regulating the practice and procedure of the Court: Provided that till the new rules are framed, the rules framed by the Supreme Appellate Court shall, so far as they are not inconsistent with this Order and any other law, deemed to have been made by the Supreme Appellate Court until altered or amended and references to the Supreme Appellate Court in these rules shall be construed to be referred to the Supreme Appellate Court. 63. Decisions of Supreme Appellate Court binding on other Courts.- Any decision of the Supreme Appellate Court shall, to the extent that it decides a question of law or is based upon or enunciates a principle of law, be binding on all other Courts in the Gilgit-Baltistan. 64. Seat of the Supreme Appellate Court.- (1) The Seat of the Supreme Appellate Court shall be at Gilgit. (2) The Supreme Appellate Court may sit at such other place or places as the Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan, with the approval of the Governor, may appoint. 65. Review of judgment or order by the Supreme Appellate Court.- The Supreme Appellate Court shall have powers, subject to the provisions of an Act of the Assembly or the Council and of any rules made by the Supreme Appellate Court, to review any judgment pronounced or any order made by it. 66. Supreme Judicial Council.- (1) There shall be a Supreme Judicial Council of Gilgit-Baltistan. (2) The Supreme Judicial Council shall consist of,_ the Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan who shall be its Chairman. the Senior Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court; and the Chief Judge of the Chief Court . (3) A Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court or of the Chief Court shall not be removed from office except as provided by this Article. Explanation: The expression “Judge” includes the Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Chief Judge of Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan. (4) If on information received from the Supreme Judicial Council or from any other source, the Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council or the Governor is of the opinion that a Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court or of the Chief Court,_ (a) may be incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of physical or mental incapacity; or (b) may have been guilty of misconduct, the Chairman or the Governor, as the case may be, shall direct the Supreme Judicial Council to inquire into the matter. (5) If, upon any matter inquired into by the Supreme Judicial Council, there is a difference of opinion amongst its members, the opinion of the majority shall prevail, and the report of the Supreme Judicial Council shall be expressed in terms of the view of the majority. (6) If, after inquiring into the matter, the Supreme Judicial Council reports to the Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council that it is of the opinion. that the Judge is incapable of performing the duties of his office or has been guilty of misconduct; and that he should be removed from office, the Chairman shall advise the Governor to remove the Judge from his office and the Governor shall pass orders accordingly. (7) The Supreme Judicial Council shall issue a Code of conduct to be observed by Judges of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court, and of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court. (8) If at any time the Supreme Judicial Council is inquiring the conduct of a Judge who is a member of the Supreme Judicial Council, or a member of the Supreme Judicial Council is absent or is unable to act due to illness or any other cause, than; (a) If such member is the Chief Judge or the Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court the Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court who is next in seniority; (b) If such member is the Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Court, the most senior most of the other Judges of the Chief Court, shall, act as a member of the Supreme Judicial Council in his place. (9) If, upon any matter inquired into by the Supreme Judicial Council, there is a difference of opinion amongst its member, the opinion of the Supreme Judicial Council shall be expressed in terms of the view of the majority. 67. Power of Supreme Judicial Council to enforce attendance of persons, etc.- (1) for the purpose of inquiring into any matter, the Supreme Judicial Council shall have the same powers as has the Supreme Appellate Court, to issue directions or order for securing the attendance of any person or the discovery or the production of any document and any such direction or order shall be enforceable as if it has been issued by the Supreme Appellate Court. (2) The provisions of Article 60, shall, mutatis mutandis apply to the Supreme Judicial Council as they apply to the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court and the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court.
68. Bar of Jurisdiction.- The proceedings before the Supreme Judicial Council, and the removal of a Judge under Article 66, shall not be called in question in any Court.
69. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court. - (1) There shall be a Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, hereinafter called the Chief Court, which shall consist of a Chief Judge and four other judges of whom 60% will be appointed from lawyers community and 40% from subordinate judiciary: Provided that the Government of Pakistan may from time to time increase the number of judges. (2) The function of the Chief Court may be performed by a Single Bench, a Division Bench or a Full Bench:, but the Chief Judge may recall a case pending before a Bench and make it over to another Bench or constitute a larger Bench for the purpose. (3) In case of difference of opinion in a Full Bench, the opinion of the majority shall prevail; (4) In case of difference of opinion in a Division Bench, the matter shall be referred to a third judge and the decision of the Chief Court shall be expressed in terms of judgment of the majority.
(5) The person holding office as Chief Judge or other Judge of the Chief Court Immediately before the commencement of this Order shall be deemed to be the Chief Judge or other Judge as the case may be appointed under this Order. (6) The Chief Judge and Judges of the Chief Court shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of the Governor. (7) A person shall not be appointed as a Judge of the Chief Court unless- he has for a period, or for periods aggregating, not less than ten years, been an Advocate of the Chief Court or a High Court in Pakistan. Provided that the expression “High Court” herein shall include a High Court or an equivalent Court that existed at any time before the 1st day of August, 2009; or he has for a period of not less than ten years held a judicial office out of which not less than three years shall have been as District and Sessions Judge.
(8) Before he enters upon his office, the Chief Judge of the Chief Court shall make before the Governor, and judge of the Chief Court shall make before the Chief Judge, an oath in the form set out in the First Schedule. (9) The Chief Judge or a Judge of the Chief Court shall hold office until he attains the age of sixty two years, unless he sooner resigns or is removed from office in accordance with law: Provided that the Chairman of the Gilgit- Baltistan Council may appoint a retired Judge of any High Court of Pakistan to be the Chief Judge or a Judge of the Chief Court for a period not exceeding three years and such person shall hold office till he attains the age of sixty-five years. (10) If at any time any Judge of the Chief Court is absent or is unable to perform his functions due to illness or some other cause, the Chairman of the Gilgit- Baltistan Council may appoint a person qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Chief Court to be an Additional Judge for the period for which the Judge is absent or unable to perform his functions. (11) A Judge of the Chief Court shall not,- hold any other office of profit in the service of the Gilgit-Baltistan if his remuneration is thereby increased; or occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services, but this clause shall not be construed as preventing a Judge from holding or managing private property. (12) A person who has held office as Judge of the Chief Court shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan not being a Judicial or quasi-Judicial office or the office of Chief Election Commissioner or of Chairman or member of the Public Service Commission, before the expiration of two years after he ceased to hold that office. (13) The remuneration and other terms and conditions of service of the Chief Judge and Judges of Chief Court shall be such as admissible the Chief Justice and the Judges of the High Courts of Pakistan. 70. Acting Chief Judge.- At any time when- (a) the Office of Chief Judge of Chief Court is vacant; (b) the Chief Judge of Chief Court is absent or is unable to perform the functions of his office due to any other cause, the Governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the Chief Court to act as Chief Judge. 71. Jurisdiction of Chief Court.- (1) The Chief Court shall have such jurisdiction as is conferred on it by this Order or by any other law. (2) Subject to this Order, the Chief Court may if it is satisfied that no other adequate remedy is provided by law,- (a) the Government, exercising any power or performing any function in, or in relation to, Gilgit-Baltistan as may be appropriate for the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights conferred by this Order. on the application of any aggrieved party, make an order,-- directing a person performing functions in connection with the affairs of Gilgit-Baltistan or local authority to refrain from doing that which he is not permitted by law to do, or to do that which he is required by law to do; or declaring that any act done or proceeding taken by a person performing functions in connection with the affairs of the Gilgit-Baltistan or a local authority has been done or taken without lawful authority, and is of no legal effect; or on the application of any person, make an order.-
(i) directing that a person in custody in Gilgit-Baltistan be brought before the Chief Court so that the Court may satisfy itself that he is not being held in custody without lawful authority or in an unlawful manner; or
(ii) requiring a person holding or purporting to hold a public office in connection with the affairs of Gilgit-Baltistan to show under what authority of law he claims to hold that office; or © on the application of any aggrieved person, make an order giving such directions to the person or authority, including the Council. (3) An order shall not be made under clause (2) on application made by or in relation to a person in the Armed Forces of Pakistan in respect of his terms and conditions of service, in respect of any matter arising out of his service or in respect of any action in relation to him as a member of the Armed Forces of Pakistan. (4) Where,-- (a) an application is made to the Chief Court for an order under sub-clause (a) or sub-clause (c) of clause (2); and (b) the Court has reason to believe that the making of an interim order would have the effect of prejudicing or interfering with the carrying out of a public work or otherwise being harmful to the public interest, the Court shall not make an interim order unless the Advocate-General has been given notice of the application and the Court, after the Advocate-General or any officer authorized by him in this behalf has been given an opportunity of being heard, is satisfied that the making of the interim order would not have the effect referred to in sub-clause (b) of this clause. (5) In this Article unless the context otherwise requires, the expression “person” includes any body politic or corporate, any authority of or under control of the Council or the Government and any court or tribunal other than the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court, the Chief court or a Court or tribunal establish under a law relating to the Armed Forces of Pakistan. 72. Rules of procedure.- Subject to this Order and law the Chief Court may in consultation with the Government, make rules regulating practice and procedure of the Court or of any Court subordinate to it. 73. Decision of Chief Court binding on subordinate Courts.- Subject to Article 47, any decision of Chief Court shall, to the extent that it decides a question of law or is based upon or enunciates a principle of law, be binding on all Courts subordinate to it. 74. Seat of the Chief Court.- (1) The permanent seat of the Chief Court shall be at Gilgit. (2) The Chief Court may, from time to time, sit at such other place as the Chief Judge of the Chief Court, with the approval of the Governor, may appoint. 75. Contempt of Court. - (1) In this Article the expression “Court” means the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court or the Chief Court. (2) A Court shall have power to punish any person who- abuses, interferes with or obstructs the process of the Court in any way or disobeys any order of the Court; scandalizes the Court or otherwise does anything which tends to bring the Court or a judge of the Court into hatred, ridicule or contempt; does anything which tends to prejudice the determination of a matter pending before the Court; or does any other thing which, by law, constitutes contempt of the Court. (3) The exercise of the power conferred on a Court by this Article may be regulated by law and, subject to law, by rules made by the Court. 76. The Chief Court to superintend and control all courts subordinate to it, etc.- (1) The Chief Court shall superintend and control all other courts that are subordinate to it. (2) A Court so established shall have such jurisdiction as conferred on it by law. (3) No Court shall have any jurisdiction which is not conferred on it by this Order or by or under any other law. 77. Advisory jurisdiction. – (1) If, at any time, the Chairman of the Council or the Governor desires to obtain the opinion of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court on any question of law which he considers of public importance, he may refer the question to the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan for consideration. (2) The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court shall consider a question so referred and report its opinion on the question to the Chairman of the Council or as the case may be, the Governor. 78. Administrative Courts and Tribunals. – (1) Notwithstanding any thing herein before contained, the Council in respect of matters to which its executive authority extends, and the Assembly in respect of matters to which the executive authority of the Government extends may by Act provide for the establishment of one or more Administrative Courts or Tribunals to exercise exclusive jurisdiction in respect of, - matters relating to the terms and conditions of persons who are or have been in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan including disciplinary matters; matters relating to claims arising from tortuous acts of the Council or the Government or any person in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan or of any local or other authority empowered by law to levy any tax or cess and any servant or such authority acting in the discharge of his duties as such servant; or matters relating to acquisition, administration and disposal of any property which is deemed to be enemy property under any law. (2) Notwithstanding anything herein before contained, where any Administrative Court of Tribunal is established under clause (1), no other Court shall grant an injunction, maker any order or entertain any proceedings in respect of any matter to which the jurisdiction of such Administrative Court or Tribunal extends and all proceedings in respect of any such matter which may be pending before such other court immediately before the establishment of the Administrative Court or Tribunal shall abate on such establishment. (3) An appeal to the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court from a judgment, decree, order or sentence of an Administrative Court or Tribunal shall lie only if the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan being satisfied, that the case involves a substantial question of law of public importance, grants leave to appeal. 79. Employees of Court.- The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court and the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, with the approval of the Governor, may make rules providing for the appointment of employees of the Court and for their terms and conditions of employment. PART. XII-SERVICES 80. Public Service Commission. – There shall be a Public Service Commission for Gilgit-Baltistan which shall consist of such number of members, including a Chairman to be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of Governor, and perform such functions as may be prescribed on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Governor. 81. Services. – (1) Subject to this Order, the appointment of persons to, and the terms and conditions of service of persons in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan may be regulated by law. (2) Until an Act of the Council in respect of persons in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan employed in connection with the affairs of the Council, or an Act of the Assembly in respect of such persons employed in connection with the affairs of the Government, makes provision for the matters referred to in clause (1), all rules and orders in force immediately before the commencement of this Order, shall continue to be in force and may be amended from time to time by the Council or, as the case may be, the Government. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1) or (2) the position or vacancy sharing formula between the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Government of Pakistan, i.e. Gilgit-Baltistan Civil Service and All Pakistan Unified Grades or District Management Group, shall be as specified in the Fifth Schedule. 82. Chief Election Commissioner.- There shall be a Chief Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of Governor on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 83. Auditor-General.- (1) There shall be an Auditor General of Gilgit- Baltistan who shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Council. (2) Before entering upon office, the Auditor General shall make before the Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan oath in the form set out in the Schedule (3) The terms and conditions of service, including the terms of office, of the Auditor-General shall be determined by Act of the Council and, until so determined, by rules made by the Council. (4) The Auditor-General shall, in relation to- (a) the accounts of the Council and any authority or body established by the Council; and (b) the accounts of the Government and any authority or body established by the Government, perform such functions and exercise such powers as may be determined, by or under Act of the Council and, until so determined, by rules made by the Council. (5) The accounts of the Council and of the Government shall be kept in such form and in accordance with such principles and methods as may be determined by the Auditor-General with the approval of the Council. (6) The reports of the Auditor-General relating to the accounts of the Council shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Council; who shall cause them to be laid before the Council; and the reports of the Auditor-General relating to the accounts of the Government shall be submitted to the Governor who shall cause them to be laid before the Assembly. PART. XIII-GENERAL 84. Continuance of existing laws.- Subject to the provisions of this Order, all laws which immediately before the commencement of this Order, were in force in Gilgit-Baltistan shall continue to be in force until altered, repealed or amended by an Act, of the appropriate authority. Explanation.- In this Article.- (a) The expression ‘laws includes Ordinance, Orders, rules, bye-laws, regulations and any notification and other legal instruments having the force of law, and (b) The expression ‘in force’ in relation to any law, means having effect as law whether or not the law has been brought into operation. 85. General provision regarding Governor and Ministers.- (1) The Governor, the Chief Minister, a Minister or an Advisor shall not.- (a) hold any other office of profit in the service of Gilgit-Baltistan or any other country; or (b) occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services; but this action shall not be construed as preventing the Governor, the Chief Minister, a Minister or an Advisor from holding or managing his private property. (2) No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the Governor or the Chairman of the Council while he is in office. (3) No civil proceedings in which relief is claimed against the Governor or the Chairman of the Council shall be instituted while he is in office in respect of anything done or not done, or purporting to have been done or not done, by him in his personal capacity, whether before or after he enters upon his office unless at least sixty days before the proceedings are instituted, notice in writing has been delivered to him, or sent to him, stating the nature of the proceedings, the cause of the action, the name, description and place of residence of the party by whom the proceedings are to be instituted and the relief which he claims.
(4) Except in relation to proceedings referred to in clause (3) no process whatsoever shall be issued from any court or tribunal against the Governor or the Chairman of the Council, whether in a personal capacity or otherwise, while he is in office. (5) Subject to this Order, the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Chairman of the Council, the Federal Minister who is a member of the Council, a Minister or an Advisor shall not except in respect of anything done or not done by him in contravention of law , be answerable to any court or Tribunal in the exercise of the powers, or the performance of the duties, of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by him in the exercise of those powers or in the performance of those duties: Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as restricting the right of any person to bring appropriate proceedings against the Council or as the case may be, the Government. 86. Power to acquire property and to make contracts, etc.- (1) The executive authority of the Government and of the Council shall extend, subject to any Act of the appropriate authority to the grant, sale, disposition or mortgage of any property vested in, and to the purchase or acquisition of property on behalf of, the Government or as the case may be, the Council, and to the making of contracts. (2) All property acquired for the purpose of the Government or of the Council shall vest in the Government or, as the case may be, in the Council. (3) All contracts made in the exercise of the executive authority of the Government or of the Council shall be expressed to be made in the name of the Governor, or as the case may be, the Council and all such contracts and all assurances of property made in the exercise of that authority shall be executed on behalf of the Governor or the Council by such persons and in such manner as the Governor, or as the case m ay be, the Council may direct or authorize. (4) Neither the Governor, nor the Chairman of the Council, shall be personally liable in respect of any contract or assurance made or executed in the exercise of the executive authority of the Government or, as the case may be the Council, nor shall any person making or executing any such contract or assurance on behalf of any of them be personally liable in respect thereof. (5) Transfer of land by the Government or the Council shall be regulated by law. PART. XIV-EMERGENCY PROVISIONS 87. Power to issue proclamation.- (1) If the Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council ,on receipt of a report from Governor of Gilgit- Baltistan or otherwise, is satisfied that a grave emergency exists in which the security of Gilgit-Baltistan is threatened by war or external aggression or by internal disturbances, in which the Government of the Gilgit-Baltistan cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Order, Chairman of the Council shall issue Proclamation of Emergency, hereinafter referred to as the Proclamation. (2) Assume to himself, or direct the Governor of the Gilgit-Baltistan to assume on behalf of the Chairman of the Council , all or any of the functions of the Government of the Gilgit-Baltistan, and all or any of the powers vested in, or exercisable by, any body or authority in the Gilgit-Baltistan, other than the Assembly; (3) A Proclamation shall be laid before a Joint Sitting of the Council and the Assembly which shall be summoned by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of Governor to meet within thirty days of the Proclamation being issued and- (a) shall, cease to be in force at the expiration of two months unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by a resolution of the Joint Sitting; and (b) shall, subject to the provisions of sub-clause (a), cease to be in force upon a resolution disapproving the resolution being passed by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the Joint Sitting. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (2), if .the Assembly stands dissolved at the time when the Proclamation is issued, the Proclamation shall continue in force for a period of four months but, if a general election to the Assembly is not held before the expiration of that period, it shall cease to be in force at the expiration of that period unless it has earlier been approved by a resolution of the Council. (5) A Proclamation may be made before the actual occurrence of war or external aggression if the Governor is satisfied that there is imminent danger thereof. 88. Power to suspend fundamental rights.- (1) While a Proclamation is in operation, the Governor may, by order, declare that right to move any Court for the enforcement of such of the rights conferred by Chapter as may be specified in the order, and all proceedings pending in any Court for the enforcement of the rights so specified, shall remain suspended for the period during which the Proclamation is in force. (2) Every order made under clause (1), shall, as soon as may be, laid before the Assembly. 89. Power to vary or rescind proclamation.- (1) A Proclamation issued under Article 87 may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Proclamation. (2) The validity of any Proclamation issued or order made under Article 87 or Article 88 shall not be questioned in any Court. 90. Failure to comply with requirement as to time does not render an act invalid.- When any act or thing is required by this Order to be done within a particular period and it is not done within that period, the doing of the act or thing shall not be invalid or otherwise ineffective by reason only that it was not done within that period. PART. XV-MISCELLANEOUS 91. Oath of office.- (1) An oath required to be made by person under this Order shall be made in a language that is understood by that person. (2) Where, under this Order, an oath is required to be made before a specified person and for any reason, it is impracticable for the oath to be made before that person, it may be made before such other person as may be nominated by that person. (3) Where, under this Order, a person is required to make an oath before he enters upon an office, he shall be deemed to have entered upon the office on the day on which he makes the oath. 92. Order not to prejudice stance.- The provision of this Order shall not derogate form, or in any manner prejudice, the declared stand of the Government of Pakistan regarding the right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the United Nations Resolutions. 93. Power to amend.- The Government of Pakistan may, by notified Order, amend the provisions of this Order. 94. Power to make rules.- The Governor or as the case may be, the Chairman of the Council, may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Order. 95. Order to override other laws, etc.- (1) The provision of this Order shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the provisions of any law for the time being in force except that in case of conflict between the laws of Pakistan and the laws framed under this Order, the laws of Pakistan shall prevail. (2) No Court, including the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court and the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, shall call into question or permit to be called into question, the validity of this Order or an Act to amend it. 96. Repeal and saving.- (1) The Northern Areas Governance Order, 1994 hereinafter referred to as the said Order, together with the Orders amending it, and the rules made there-under are hereby repealed. (2) On the commencement of this Order- (a) the Legislative Assembly in existence shall stand dissolved and General Election shall be held within one hundred and twenty days of such commencement; and (b) in all documents, proceedings and references, a reference to the expression “Northern Areas” shall mean and be construed as reference to “Gilgit-Baltistan.” 97. Effect of repeal.- Where a law is repealed, or is deemed to have been repealed, by, under, or by virtue of this Order, the repeal shall not, except as otherwise provided in this Order;- revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal takes effect; affect the previous operation of the law or anything duly done or suffered under the law; affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the law; affect any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against the law; or affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment; and any such investigation, legal proceedings or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed, as if the law had not been repealed.
FIRST SCHEDULE OATH OF OFFICE GOVERNOR [See Article 20(7)] I,…………………………….do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That, as Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, I will remain loyal to Pakistan; That I will perform my functions as Governor honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Governor. So help me Allah. Signature of Governor Place Date Signature of Chief Judge Supreme Appellate Court, Gilgit-Baltistan CHIEF MINISTER [See Article 23(4)] I,…………………………….do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That, as Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, I will remain loyal to Pakistan; That I will perform my functions as Chief Minister honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Chief Minister; So help me Allah. Signature of Chief Minister Place Date Signature of Governor Gilgit-Baltistan MINISTER [See Article 24(2)]
I,…………………………….do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That, as Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, I will remain loyal to Pakistan; That I will perform my functions as Minister honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Minister; So help me Allah. Signature of Minister Place Date Signature of Governor Gilgit-Baltistan SPEAKER OR DEPUTY SPEAKER OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY [See Article 42(2)] I,…………………………….having been elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That I will remain loyal to Pakistan; That I will perform my functions as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Assembly; So help me Allah. Signature of Speaker/Deputy Speaker Place Date Signature of Outgoing Squeaker /Sitting Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY [See Article 36] I,…………………………….having been elected as Member of Gilgit- Baltistan Legislative Assembly do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That I will remain loyal to Pakistan; That I will perform my functions as Member of the Legislative Assembly honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Member of the Legislative Assembly; So help me Allah. Signature of Member Place Date Signature of Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly
MEMBER OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN COUNCIL [See Article 33 (11)] I,…………………………….having been elected as Member of Gilgit- Baltistan Council do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That I will remain loyal to Pakistan; That I will perform my functions as Member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Member of the Council; So help me Allah. Signature of Member Place Date Signature of Chairman/Vice Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan Council CHIEF JUDGE/JUDGE OF GILGIT – BALTISTAN SUPREME APPELLATE COURT [See Article 60(6)] I,…………………… .having been appointed Chief Judge of Gilgit -Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court do solemnly swear and I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and that I will faithfully perform the duties of my office to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment and will administer justice according to the law in force Gilgit- Baltistan, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. Signature of Chief Judge/Judge Place Date Signature of Governor/Chief Judge Gilgit-Baltistan OATH OF CHIEF JUDGE/JUDGE OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN CHIEF COURT [See Article 69(8)]
I,…………………… .having been appointed Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court do solemnly swear that I owe allegiance to Allah and that I will faithfully perform the duties of my office to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment and will administer justice according to the law in force in the Areas comprising Gilgit-Baltistan, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. Signature of Chief Judge/Judge Place Date Signature of Governor/Chief Judge Gilgit-Baltistan
OATH OF ADVISOR [See Article 33 (14)]
I,……………………………. do hereby solemnly swear in the name of Allah; That I will remain loyal to Pakistan. That I will perform my functions as Advisor honestly and faithfully; and That I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any official secret which, may, come to my knowledge as Advisor; So help me Allah. Signature of Advisor Place Date Signature of Chairman of Council Gilgit-Baltistan
AUDITOR-GENERAL [See Article 83]
I,…………………….do hereby solemnly swear and bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan. That, as Auditor-General of the Areas comprising Gilgit- Baltistan, I will perform my functions honestly, faithfully, in accordance with the Gilgit - Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Government) Order, 2009, and the law and to the best of my knowledge, ability and judgment, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. Signature of Auditor General Place Date Signature of Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan
CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER [See Article 82]
I,…………………….do hereby solemnly swear and bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan. That, as Chief Election Commissioner of the Areas comprising Gilgit- Baltistan, I will perform my functions honestly, faithfully, in accordance with the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Government) Order, 2009, and the law and to the best of my knowledge, ability and judgment, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. Signature of Auditor General Place Date
Signature of Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan SECOND SCHEDULE [See Article 37(2)(d)]
1. An office, which is not a whole time office remunerated either by salary or by fee. 2. The office of Lamberdar, Inamdar, Sufedposh and Zaildar, whether called by this or any other title. 3. The office of the Chairman of any elective body constituted under any law relating to the Local Government. 4. Reserve of the Armed Forces. 5. Any other office which is declared by an Act of the Assembly not to disqualify its holder from being elected as, or from being a member of the Assembly.
THIRD SCHEDULE COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE LIST [See Article 47(2) (a)]
FOURTH SCHEDULE ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE LIST [See Article 47 (2) (b)] Public order (but not including the use of Naval, Military, Air Force, or any other armed forces of the Federation in aid of the civil power). Preventive detention for reasons in connection with the maintenance of public order; persons subjected to such detention. Prisons, reformatories, borstal institution and other institutions of a like nature and persons detained therein, arrangements with other provinces for the use of prisons and other institutions. Land, that is to say, rights in or over land; land tenures, including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of rents; transfer, alienation and devolution of agricultural land; land improvement and agricultural loans; colonization. Land revenue, including the assessment and collection of revenue, the maintenance of land records, survey for revenue purpose and records of rights and alienation of revenues. Works, lands and buildings vested in or in the possession of the Gilgit-Baltistan Administration. Compulsory acquisition or requisitioning of property. Agriculture, including agricultural education and research protection against pests and prevention of plant diseases. Local Government, that is to say, the constitution and powers of municipal corporations, improvement trusts, district councils settlement authorities and other local authorities for the purpose of local self-government or village administration. Preservation, protection and improvement of stock, and prevention of animal diseases; veterinary training and practice. Pounds and the prevention of cattle trespass. Drinking water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments; flood control. Libraries, museums and ancient and historical monuments. Botanical, zoological and anthropological surveys. Theaters; cinemas; sports; entertainments and amusements. Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries. Registration of births and deaths. Burials and burial grounds; cremations and cremation grounds. Relief of the disabled and un-employed. Intoxicating liquors, that is to say, the production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating liquors and other narcotic drugs. Markets and fairs. Money lending and moneylenders; relief of indebtedness. Protection of wild animals and birds. Prevention of cruelty to animals. Adulteration of food-stuff and other goods. Betting and gambling. Fisheries. Professions. Inns and in-keepers. Orphanages and poor houses. Taxes on agricultural income and on the value of agricultural land. Lunacy and mental deficiency including places for reception of treatment of lunatics and mental deficient. Duties in respect of succession to agricultural land. Estate Duty in respect of agricultural land. Taxes on lands and buildings. Taxes on advertisement. Taxes on goods and passengers carried by road or on inland waterways. Taxes on vehicles, whether mechanically propelled or not, suitable for use on a road; on boats, launches and steamers on inland water; on tram cars. Taxes on animals and boats. Tolls. Capitation taxes. Taxes on luxuries, including entertainments and amusements. Taxes. Taxes on profession, trades, callings and employment. Relief of poor; un-employment. Offences against laws with respect of any of the matters in this list. Inquiries and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters in this list. Cesses on the entry of goods into a local area for consumption, use or sale therein. The salaries, allowances and privileges of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister, Ministers and Members of the Assembly. Dues on passengers and goods carried on roads or inland water-ways. Management of Gilgit – Baltistan Consolidated Fund. Environmental pollution and ecology. Population planning and social welfare. The setting up and carrying on of labour exchanges, employment information bureaus and training establishments. Regulation of labour and safety in mines and factories. Trade unions; industrial and labour disputes. Gilgit–Baltistan public services and Public Service Commission. Gilgit–Baltistan pensions, that is to say, pension payable out of Gilgit–Baltistan Consolidated Fund. Administrative Courts for subjects within purview of Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly. Gilgit–Baltistan agencies and institutions for the following purpose, that is to say, for research, for professional or technical training, or for the promotion of special studies. Fees in respect of any of the matters enumerated in this list, but not including fees taken in any court. Jurisdiction and powers of all Courts with respect to any of the matters enumerated in this list. FIFTH SCHEDULE SERVICES [See Article 81] POSITION OR VACANCY SHARING FORMULA BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN.
N.B-Percentage
showing the share earmarked for APUG/DMG/APS, out of total number of
vacancies in Gilgit-Baltistan (on the pattern of Federal Government and
Provinces of Pakistan).
(Muhammad Ikram)
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