Te cabinet of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) was expanded by the prime minister of the region Sardar Atiqyue Ahmed khan with the induction of nine ministers and a reshuffling of the portfolios of the existing ministers1

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Federal Minister of Northern Areas and Kashmir affairs, Qamqr-uz-Zaman promised to introduce a constitutional package for Gilgit and Baltistan. Reports stated that the local people would be consulted before any final decision was taken2.Similarly, another report called for fulfilling the demands of the people of Kashmir in congruence with the steps that were initiated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto during his tenure3.

Addressing a gathering organized by the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Islamabad, the chairperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti stated that the division of Kashmir along religious lines was not acceptable. She further called for the withdrawal of forces from both Indian and Pakistani sides and the restoration of human rights of the people of Kashmir4.

A two-day conference on Gilgit Baltistan was held in Brussels on April 9 which focused on the drawbacks of the political and administrative arrangements in the POK. In other developments, it was reported that India and Pakistan may consider the proposal to run the bus service between Srinagar-Muzaffarabad on a weekly basis rather than on a fortnightly basis5.

• 1. Tariq Naqash, “AJK cabinet expanded,” Dawn, April 1, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/01/nat6.htm
• 2. “Kaira promises people friendly package,” Weekly Bange-e-shahar, April 5-11, 2008.
• 3. “Time to fulfill Bhutto’s promises,” Weekly Bange-e-shahar, April 5-11, 2008.
• 4. “Kashmir’s division on religious lines rejected,” Weekly Bange-e-shahar, April 5-11,2008
• 5. “LoC bus may run every week,” Daily Times, April 13, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\04\13\story_13-4-2008_pg7_3