Gilgit Baltistan (GB), the part of Jammu and Kashmir held by Pakistan, has demanded the government of Pakistan grant it interim provincial status so that the region could get representation in Pakistan's parliament and other constitutional bodies. 

A joint resolution, tabled by GB chief minister Khalid Khurshid Khan and the opposition leader in GB legislative assembly, asked the Pakistan government to bring a bill in parliament granting provincial status to the region without compromising on the Kashmir issue, reported Dawn newspaper. 

"The demand for constitutional rights is a unanimous demand of the people of GB, not that of an individual/ party. The unity we've shown on this issue needs to be repeated again at a federal level," said Khalid Khurshid Khan. 

Pakistan’s Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhary, terming the move “historic”, said it was “truly a leap forward”. 

Pakistan recently conducted polls in the region to which India expressed its objection, terming the territory illegally held by Pakistan. It called the election in Gilgit Baltistan “null and void” as the territory is considered a part of India.