IMD includes PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan

The Indian Meteorological Department has begun to include Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Ladakh and Muzaffarabad into its meteorological sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlights

The change has reflected in the daily forecast of north west India. The weather forecast will be given for the entire sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir and not for specific areas.

Analysis

The change reflects the changed status of Ladakh. It also comes with underlying message to the Pakistan Government. The change comes after Pakistan Government decided to hold elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.

On April 30, the apex court of Pakistan allowed to set up a caretaker government in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and conduct provincial assembly elections.

Current Scenario

In 2009, the then Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari aimed to empower the people of Gilgit-Baltistan region. Hence, he passed a self-governance order for the region. According to the order, the region has a legislative assembly that implements self-rule in the region.

The population of Gilgit-Baltistan region wants to get integrated with Pakistan. However, the Pakistan government claims that integrating Gilgit-Baltistan would jeopardize the demands of the country for the whole of Kashmir.

Legislation

The province Gilgit-Baltistan is governed by unicameral legislature with a legislative assembly. The Chief Minister represents the people at the assemble. The region also has a governor.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020