NALC seeks upgrade to an assembly

Advisors of Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) have demanded of the federal government to upgrade the council to an assembly and give them status equivalent to the provincial ministers.
In their first meeting as cabinet members with the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Saturday, they demanded more powers and status as enjoyed by the provincial ministers and provincial assemblies.
"Yes! We have requested the Prime Minister for more financial and administrative powers as being enjoyed by the provincial assemblies. We are elected people and should be called ministers rather than advisors", one of the advisors told Business Recorder on the condition of anonymity.
Sources said the Prime Minister has indicated government was preparing a comprehensive plan for NAs. The advisors informed the Prime Minister about the non-co-operation of the bureaucracy in the Northern Areas (NAs) saying that it should be fully under their control.
It is also learnt that Prime Minister would pay a visit to NAs after Eid, where he is likely to announce relief packages of the public interests. Shaukat promised the advisors to operate all-weather flights from November and Karakuram Highway would dualised to facilitate the passengers.
He also said that more telecommunication companies would be allowed to operate in NAs for developing telecommunication service. Prime Minister also gave approval for establishing six more utility stores in each district of the NAs.
Earlier, the NALC advisors also held a meeting with Major Tahir Iqbal (Retd), Federal Minister and Chief Executive of the NAs and discussed law and order situation and other issues related to the NAs, said a statement issued here.
The Minister directed the advisors to set development goals and targets in their respective departments and pursue them effectively. Recruitment policy would soon be revised and followed strictly, he said. The chief executive also asked the advisors to take full charge of their department and work diligently.
The minister informed that qualified professionals from NAs would be hired on contract to run different development projects. Deputy Chief Executive NAs Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan briefed the minister about the progress in NAs made so far.