ISLAMABAD: The Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Chaudhry Mohammad Barjis Tahir, said here on Thursday that he would not be able to influence the elections of the region’s Legislative Assembly because he had no administrative powers.

He said at a press conference that the GB Election Commission would fix the date for the elections in coordination with the caretaker government.

Know more: Controversy as new GB governor takes oath

He rejected allegations levelled by the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf that his appointment was part of a federal government’s plan to rig the elections.

Mr Tahir, who is also Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, said he had been appointed by the president of Pakistan under Article 20 of the GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009. Under Article 20 the president of Pakistan may appoint as governor any person who is eligible to become a member of the GB Legislative Assembly and National Assembly, he added.

Mr Tahir said the governor held office during the pleasure of the president who did not need to issue a letter to remove him.

When asked why the governor was changed at a time when elections were going to be held, he said the PML-N government did not do it for about two years under its policy of reconciliation.

“I have decided not to hold a public gathering in Gilgit-Baltistan. As a governor I will play the role of a facilitator,” he said.

He said former governor Peer Karam Ali Shah was removed because of allegations of his involvement in corruption. Mr Shah, he claimed, had declared his residence in Islamabad as the Governor House and received $4,000 per month as rent.

“I have directed my staff to set up the governor house in a room at the Gilgit-Baltistan House in Islamabad,” he said.

Mr Tahir said the federal government had approved Rs47 billion for repairs of the Gilgit-Skardu Road and construction of Bobusar tunnel and Shontar pass.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2015

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