THE newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly last week adopted a unanimous resolution asking the centre to grant the region provisional provincial status.

This demand is not new and the House has previously issued a similar call. In fact, the demand cuts across party, regional and ethnic lines in GB. The resolution also calls for granting GB “constitutional and political rights”, while adding that until provisional provincial status is achieved, the region should be included in the NFC Award. Crucially, GB’s lawmakers have said the provisional status will be “without prejudice” to Pakistan’s position regarding the Kashmir dispute with India.

This is an important caveat as some within the country are concerned........

© Dawn