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Posts published in “Day: April 11, 2012

Another Balochistan-in-the-making: By M Hassan Waziri in a letter to Editor,The Express Tribune, April 11

ISLAMABAD: The recent barbaric killing of people belonging to the shia community in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) is deplorable to say the least. The false promises of interior minister Rehman Malik have done nothing to assure the people of the area that a repeat incident will not occur. Previously, Mr Malik had promised to deploy a special security force along the Karakoram Highway for the safety and security of passengers using this route but nothing of the…

G-B sectarian tensions: 31 Nagar hostages released after a week

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Apr 11 GILGIT: The week-long ordeal of over two dozen people taken hostage in a remote valley of the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region ended on Tuesday. Authorities secured the release of 31 hostages – including a district health officer from Astore, a civil judge and 29 day labourers from outside G-B – following successful negotiations with the captors. The men were taken hostage by armed men in the Shia-dominated…

Curfew cripples life in Gilgit for eighth consecutive day

GILGIT: The people of Gilgit and other districts of Gilgit-Baltistan continued to suffer due to the uncertain law and order situation there and curfew, which was imposed for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday. During curfew relaxation hours, citizens rushed to markets to get essential commodities but had to return disappointed as stocks had been exhausted and fresh supplies were quite insufficient to meet the needs of the whole population. During the three-hour relaxation of…

Peace in GB to remain a challenge unless killers held: Wattoo

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan Council met Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Mian Manzoor Wattoo here on Tuesday and sought his help for restoration of peace in the troubled region. The five-member delegation included Muhammad Ibrahim, Maulana Ataullah Shahab, Professor Ghulam Husain Saleem, Wazir Ibadat Ali and Saeed Afzal. They discussed with the minister the latest law and order situation in the GB. They underscored the need for drastic measures to bring…