GILGIT, May 4: Syed Asad Zaidee, head of the arbitration committee constituted by the Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC), has said that people of Astore district have trust in the committee and believe that it will settle the dispute over establishment of district headquarters.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Zaidee, who is also deputy speaker of the NALC, said that the committee had removed misunderstandings among people and rival groups had reposed confidence in it for resolving the dispute according to their wishes. He said the committee was working round the clock to find a solution which was acceptable to both groups.

Mr Zaidee said the committee had also held meetings with regional chief secretary Imtiaz H Kazi who had assured the committee that its recommendations would be implemented.

Speaking on the occasion, member of the NALC and the arbitration committee, Muhammad Aslam Khan Advocate, dispelled the impression that the dispute had anything to do with sectarianism. He said some vested interests were fanning the issue for monetary benefits.

Other members of the committee, Gilgit district council chairman Muhammad Hussain Advocate and Diamer district council chairman Saeed Afzal were also present on the occasion.