ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has congratulated the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the abolition of the infamous black law Khalsa Sarkar of the Dogra Raj era in the region, reported 24NewsHDTV Channel.
PPP chairman said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had introduced land reforms and replaced Khalsa laws of Sikh era. He said soon after ZA Bhutto’s martyrdom, dictator Zia-ul-Haq had re-implemented Khalsa Sarkar law in Gilgit-Baltistan and deprived land ownership to the people of the region.
Bilawal Bhutto said now the government has repealed Khalsa rules and restored local laws and now the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have got the right to own their lands. He said millions of people were deprived of their fundamental right to property under the Gilgit-Baltistan Nature Act 1979.
PPP Chairman said Pakistan Peoples Party’s decades-long movement for property rights in Gilgit-Baltistan succeeded. Bilawal Bhutto said all political parties of the ruling coalition that supported the Gilgit-Baltistan Right to Property Bill deserve praise.
He said Pakistan People’s Party stands with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and will continue to make decisions according to public aspirations.
Earlier, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan announced that the cabinet has approved landmark land reforms, fulfilling a long-standing public demand.The reforms, outlined in the newly approved Land Reforms Bill, will be presented to the assembly for ratification, the chief minister said, adding that this marks a pivotal shift toward transferring land ownership to the public in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, CM Khan emphasised that the reforms underscore the government’s commitment to public welfare and equitable development.He highlighted ongoing development projects in the region, noting that over one million tourists visited Gilgit-Baltistan last year, reflecting its growing appeal as a premier tourist destination.
The Chief Minister urged the federal government to revise the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to ensure Gilgit-Baltistan receives its “fair share” of resources.He also assured that law and order remain stable, with collaborative efforts underway to engage all stakeholders.
Khan reiterated his administration’s focus on sustaining peace and implementing measures to bolster governance and socio-economic progress in the region.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Gilgit-Baltistan Land Reforms Committee chaired by Provincial Minister for Law Ghulam Muhammad was held bere in Gilgit. The meeting was attended by committee members including Minister Muhammad Anwar, Haji Shah Baig, Advocate Amjad Hussain, Secretary Law, Senior Member Board of Revenue and other officials.
The session thoroughly reviewed proposals received from all stakeholders across Gilgit-Baltistan. After careful consideration, all feasible recommendations were incorporated into the Land Reforms Bill. Suggestions from civil society and legal experts were also included in the draft, which has now been finalized.
