GILGIT, Oct 13 Two students of the Karakoram International University (KIU), Ejaz and Asghar Rumi, left for Islamabad as the second phase of their Khunjerab to Karachi Peace Walk started here on Tuesday.

Earlier, when they reached the capital city Gilgit, they were given a rousing welcome. Hundreds of students of the KIU along with the vice-chancellor and faculty members received them near the university campus.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, VC Prof Najma Najam appreciated the students for their courage and passion for promoting peace and unity. Such healthy activities would be helpful for crating a healthy and pluralistic society, she added.

Later, the students took out a rally from the Chinar Bagh Bridge as hundreds of common people from the capital city, Gilgit, joined the participants. PPP leader Islamuddin, PML-N leader Haji Abid Ali and others were also present on the occasion.

When the rally reached the historic Chinar Bagh, special prayers for peace and prosperity of the region and country were offered at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada. The rally then crossed Kashrote locality, the NLI Market and a gathering was held at the Itehad Chowk.

Addressing the gathering, participants urged citizens to bring peace in the society by spreading message of love. The people from Hunza and Gojal arranged a musical event in the evening.

Their countrywide peace walk started from Khunjerab Pass, the borderland between Pakistan and China, on October 4 and would conclude in Karachi.

OFFICERS TRAINING The government of Gilgit-Baltistan would send 56 officers to England for various trainings, an official said.

The training of officers of different grades has been organised in collaboration with the World Bank to enhance their capacity to deal with their relevant jobs in an effective manner, sources said.

According to the sources, the officers are above BPS-17 and they would go abroad from Oct 26 to Nov 24. There would be nine groups of the officers. The trainings would be imparted in management, poverty alleviation, public financing and other fields.

Meanwhile, 19 posts of different cadres from deputy commissioner to administrative staff have been created in Hunza-Nagar district, sources said. however, Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob has banned postings and transfers of government officials in Gilgit-Baltistan. A directive has been issued in this regard, officials said.