GILGIT, Jan 7: Gilgit-Baltistan Labour Party on Monday expressed its concern over looming threats of war between Pakistan and India and appealed to the countries to exercise restraint to avoid a nuclear clash.

Chief organizer of the party, Ehsan Ali advocate, said in a press conference that if a war broke out, it would adversely affect millions of workers across the borders. He feared that in case of a nuclear war, billions of innocent people in both the countries would perish and be maimed.

He called upon the India and Pakistan governments to find peaceful solution to their conflicts and said that the huge military spending should be diverted to eradicating poverty, disease, illiteracy and joblessness.

Mr Ali said that the ruling elite in both the countries had no interest in solving the Kashmir issue and added that the people of Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan should be empowered to decide their own destiny.

He called upon the peace-loving people of the subcontinent to try to defuse the tension and foster brotherhood and humanity.

Support assured: The district and municipal corporations’ chairmen of the five Northern Areas districts on Monday pledged their support to the government, in case India thrust war on Pakistan. The chairmen, at a press conference, said they had made the necessary arrangements in their districts to meet any untoward situation.