GILGIT: State Minster for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said on Wednesday that the government was focusing on development and progress of hitherto neglected areas like Gilgit Baltistan and would make every effort to provide all basic amenities of life to people of this province on their doorstep.

He was addressing a press conference here on Wednesday. He said that the National Action Plan would be strictly implemented and there would be no compromise on maintenance of law and order situation during Muharram.

He said that protection of the life and property was the prime duty of government. He directed the GB administration to take special security measures during Muharram.

Answering a question, Mr Afridi said that the government was taking steps to remove the sense of deprivation among the GB people. He said that the federal government would continue support to the PML-N government in GB which had been elected through the democratic process.

He said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was committed to providing due political rights to the GB people and consultation was underway to formulate a mechanism for this.

Addressing a high-level meeting in connection with Muharram security arrangementshere on Wednesday, the minister said that the era of ‘do more’ had gone and now was the period of ‘no more’. He made it clear that they would not hand over their rights and security for personal gains to the aliens as the previous regimes would use to do. He said that the government of GB would be given full respect and honour as the to other federating units.

“I came here to listen to problems of people of this beautiful region and not to dictate anything to the GB government,” he said.

PROCESSIONS: Processions of 8th Muharram were taken out in various parts of Gilgit Baltistan on Wednesday to commemorate the sacrifices of martyrs of Karbala. Thousands mourners thronged the venues of mourning processions. Tight security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident. The main Tazia procession was taken out from Danyor Chowk.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2018