A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) led by the chief justice took up federal government’s plea seeking amendments in Government of GB Order, 2018, to conduct the upcoming general elections by adopting the Election Act, 2017, as well as setting up of the caretaker government during the interregnum period, reported Pakistan Today.

The present Gilgit-Baltistan government's five-year term is scheduled to expire in the last week of June.

The next election in the region is scheduled to take place within 60 days.

“We do not understand why the people of GB cannot enjoy similar protection as guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan when they are totally connected with Pakistan as they carry same passport and use the same currency,” the chief justice told Pakistan Today.

  The apex court deferred hearing in the case till Apr 30 after issuing the notice.