Thread:
Giving GB a provisional provincial status is a masterstroke. The material change clause of the UNSC resolution about Kashmir prevents both India and Pakistan from changing demographics and cultural landscape of the region. India has already violated that clause, (1/n)

while Pakistan can uphold it by the provisional status. It depends what the government decided but they might amend Article 51 and 59 of constitution, and not amend Article 1 (which defines the territory of Pakistan) because that will be the violation UNSC resolution. (2/n)

UNSC Resolutions 91(1951) and 122(1957) "does not prohibit any interim steps to enhance autonomy or to ensure full exercise of democratic rights.”, so an interim or provisional set up is well within bounds of these resolutions. (3/n)

Our previous setups were through presidential orders, so they were temporary. The provisional status would have to be done through a constitutional amendment which would give increased protection to the rights of people.
(4/n)

It also depends on how many NA/Senate seats are offered. Previously, GB has been offered 3 general seats and 1 woman seat, but they have demanded 5 NA seats. Similarly, they were offered 3 Senate seats, but they want equal number of seats as in the case of other provinces. (5/n)

Also, GB demands permanent membership of bodies like NFC and NEC for development, so it would be interesting to see if they are offered that too as previously, they weren't. Now a pertinent question is, what are the advantages of this action?
(6/n)

1. It fulfills a long-standing demand of GB people, who were getting alienated. It also gives them a separate identity from Kashmir, which has always been their demand.
2. Gives access to people of GB to Pakistan courts, which was previously not the case. (7/n)

A High Court might be established.
3. It also appeases Azad Kashmir who lay claim on the territory of GB though they themselves ceded it to Pakistan in 1949 Karachi Agreement. A provisional status means the final decision on their status depends on UN plebiscite.
(8/n)

4. It opens floodgates for foreign investment, as nobody wants to invest in a disputed territory with no legal status in any country. This also means more revenue generation.
5. Giving GB some legal status has been China's demand too and they have proposed its joint
(9/n)

development with Xinjiang. That will give Pakistan access to Central Asia without depending on the Wakhan Corridor.
6. Gives protection to our investment in CPEC and Diamer-Bhasha dam.
7. Tourism and mineral industry get a boost.
(10/n)