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Posts published in March 2013

Kashmir: neglected: edit in the Nation, Mar 30

President Zardari’s assertion that Kashmir is a centrepiece of our foreign policy is welcome though for five years, the dispute figured low among PPP setup’s priorities. Now merely a lame duck, he seems to be rubbing salt on the wounds of the Kashmiris who have been surprised to see the PPP bending over backwards to placate New Delhi, even giving it the MFN status. Kashmir had always been one of the linchpins of Pakistan’s foreign…

Politicians from Baltistan defend G-B chief minister

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Mar 30 GILGIT: Politicians and lawmakers from Baltistan have jumped in to defend Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister (CM) Mehdi Shah, who has come under immense criticism for giving district status to two valleys belonging to the region he hails from. Politicians from both Gilgit and Baltistan exchanged heated words over a statement made by G-B Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig, who declared the formation of two new districts in…

Gilgit ambush kills two policemen, injures three

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Mar 30 GILGIT: Unknown armed men ambushed a police patrol killing two officials, including a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), while injuring three others in a remote valley of Gilgit – Baltistan [G-B] late on Thursday night. The law enforcers came under attack as they were making their routine rounds around 11 pm in district Diamer’s Tangir valley, about 250 kilometers from Gilgit. “Deputy Superintendent Police [DSP] Attaullah and Haleem…

G-B law minister appointed Chief Court judge

ISLAMABAD: Now that the tenure of the assemblies’ has come to an end, the law minister of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has sought a new avenue to assure his authority: he will sit as judge in the top court of G-B, following a summary signed on Saturday. Reports indicate that the said law minister, Wazir Shakil, was himself involved in the drafting of the summary regarding two judicial appointments in G-B. The summary document, signed by Prime…

G-B chief minister accused of bias towards Baltistan

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Mar 25 GILGIT: A day after Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister (CM) Mehdi Shah awarded the status of district to another valley in Baltistan, opposition leaders asked Shah to do the same for valleys in Gilgit. They said he was acting as if he is the CM of Baltistan alone. On Saturday, Kharmang valley was given a district status, while the scenic Shigar valley was made a district two…

Illicit trade activity across cross-LoC yet to be trialled

By AH Nizami in Express Tribune, Mar 24 MIRPUR: A report from India on Saturday revealed that cases regarding exchanging hawala money along with other unlawful activities of misusing cross-line of control (LoC) trade had not reached their conclusion till date. “Though, 18 people have reportedly been booked in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) for exchange of hawala money and indulging in other unlawful activities by misusing cross-LoC trade facility between IHK and Azad Jammu and Kashmir…

Lawyer escapes attempt on his life in Gilgit

GILGIT, March 23: A lawyer was attacked by unidentified assailants while on his way home here on Saturday, creating panic among the residents, police said. Duty official at city police station, Mr Imran, identified the lawyer as only Badar who is son of an administration official. The police official disclosed that both the attackers riding a bike fired shots at the lawyer also on bike near suspension bridge of the city. The official said a…

Gaining momentum: PML-N draws large crowd in G-B

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Mar 20 GILGIT: With general elections around the corner, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday flexed its political muscles in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) by pulling in a considerable crowd from all parts of the region. The rally, organised to mark the 10th death anniversary of Saif-ur-Rehman, founding member of PML-N in the region, was large even by G-B standards, where politics is largely inspired by sectarian divides. “Once we…

Pak-China border reopens on April 1

GILGIT, March 18: The Pak-China border at Khunjarab Pass will reopen on April 1 instead of May 1. A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting held here on Monday. It was also decided at the meeting that the border will be closed on December 1 instead of December 31. A senior official said the meeting asked the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, GB Gems Association and other such organisations…

Shattered memories: Detained US citizen narrates her ordeal

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Mar 18 GILGIT: A US citizen of Pakistani origin, who visited Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) this week to capture the region’s spectacular beauty on film, had no idea her love for nature would land her in a situation she never dreamed she would be in. Rubina Shaheen, a gynecologist who practices in Los Angles, was arrested from a market in Gilgit on Thursday by policewomen for her ‘suspicious behavior’. She…

183 employees sacked in G-B

GILGIT, March: 16: The Gilgit-Baltistan administration has fired 183 permanent employees of the education department. The step was taken after the AGPR stopped their salaries declaring that their appointment was made in violation of laid down procedure, senior officials said. “183 workers of the education department have been fired by the secretary education and their termination has been notified,” an official of GB secretariat disclosed to Dawn requesting not to be named. The official said…