SC powers extended to G-B.

Islamabad -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday, giving a written order regarding the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan and the grant of fundamental rights to its citizens, ruled that the powers of the top court also extend to the region.

The written order states that no part of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan can be abolished or amended without proper legislation. A seven-judge larger bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar had on January 7 reserved its verdict regarding a set of petitions challenging the Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018, Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order, 2009, as well as the right of the citizens of the area to be governed through their chosen representatives.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018 was earlier opposed by...