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Northern areas legislative council status upgraded to Assembly
GILGIT: President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday announced a maximum financial, administrative autonomy package for the Northern Areas, upgrading the status of Legislative Council to an Assembly with powers to make its own annual budget and development plan.
The President who flew into the scenic here early in the day, addressing the notables said that most of the 52 proposals prepared by the Northern Areas Legislative Council have been approved by the government.
"Most of the powers presently being exercised by the Ministry of Kashmir and Northern Areas would be transferred to the new chief executive and the legislative assembly under the package," the President said.
Under the package the Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA) would now have the powers to prepare, debate and pass its annual budget and development plan. Also the post of the current Deputy Chief Executive of Northern Areas has now been upgraded to Chief Executive, while the current Chief Executive will now be the Chairman of Northern Areas.
The President said the Chief Executive, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of NALA can now also resign or face a no-confidence motion, which he added was a step forward towards greater democracy.
Courtesy Geo