The Federal Cabinet has approved an ordinance that assigns internal/political autonomy to Pakistan’s Northern Areas and also a new identity, i.e. Gilgit-Baltistan. The ordinance’s approval was announced by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in a press conference on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

Under the new ordinance, called the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Ordinance 2009, the Northern Areas will get the new name of Gilgit-Baltistan and the new unit will have its own legislative assembly. The President of Pakistan will appoint a governor for Gilgit-Baltistan and, till the election of the assembly, the minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas will act as the governor.

The ordinance grants that the Legislative Assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan will be autonomous in making laws on 61 subjects while the Gilgit-Baltistan Council will be autonomous in deciding about 55 subjects. A consolidated fund will empower the assembly and the council on financial matters. The area will get a separate election commissioner and an auditor general. However, Gilgit-Baltistan will not get any representation in the parliament.

The ordinance will now be sent to the president for final approval upon which it would replace the Legal Framework Order of 1994.