Islamabad, Nov 4: Speakers at a seminar here stressed on the need for giving a true democratic system to the people of Northern Areas by providing all powers to their elected representatives and officials, nominated or appointed by them including the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) government.
 Speakers mostly the leadership of the Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) and Gilgit-Baltistan condemned the recent statement by the Federal Secretary Home in which he had admired “constitutional system in Indian–controlled Kashmir” while criticizing such practices in Gilgit-Baltistan. 
 The speakers said that region should be a given absolute constitutional power through a common President, Supreme Court and Kashmir Council. The seminar was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami.
 It was attended by Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Abdul Rashid Tarabi, former chairman of Gilgit-Baltistan National Alliance Innayatullah Shumali, Sardar Anwar Khan, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF’s) Amanullah Khan, president Jammu and Kashmir Liberation League Abdul Majeed Malik besides others.
 The speakers called upon the leaders of both parts of Kashmir to help in empowerment of northern areas. “The Gilgit-Baltistan could not be made a part of Pakistan. The AJK Constitution also has provisions for the seats of Northern Areas after the resolution of the Kashmir problem. So there should be collective efforts in order to make possible that the areas should be made an independent entity with the powers given to the local representatives rather than the puppet government,” they said.
 The leaders also demanded a separate quota in educational institutions and jobs for the people of areas.
 While condemning the recent statement by Federal Secretary Home about the Kashmir, they speakers appealed the Pakistan Government to clarify the doubt created by it.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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