September 21, 2008	Sunday	Ramazan 20, 1429

HUNZA, Sept 20: The Chief Court of Northern Areas has ordered fresh election to the Sost Dry Port Trust to resolve a dispute between the new management and the former management led by Chief Executive of Northern Areas Ghazanfar Ali.

Justice Muzzafar Ali and Justice Sahib Khan in their verdict ordered the former chairman, Ghazanfar Ali Khan to convene an annual general body meeting within 15 days to hold the election afresh. The court nominated the civil judge of Hunza as the returning officer for conducting the election.

Advocates Ehsan Ali and Johar Ali represented the new management, led by Ali Afsar, others while Ali Dad Khan and Mohammad Yaqub appeared on behalf of Ghazanfar Ali Khan.

Talking to this correspondent, the incumbent chairman of the Sost Dry Port Trust said the new management was elected by the majority of the board of trustees and shareholders at an AGM held in April last. The former chairman had not been calling the AGM for nine years. Mr Afsar was optimistic to win the elections if held afresh as according to him his cabinet had the support of majority of the shareholders. He said the shareholders had tried their level best to persuade the former management to safeguard their rights and run the affairs of the Trust in a transparent and democratic way but they failed to do so.

The port controversy took a new turn after the present management took over the affairs of the port on April 24 after an election. This has also affected the trade activities at the port. The new cabinet has been accusing the former chairman and his family members of corruption in the port affairs.