GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Friday declared Saturday as the official working day.

According to a notification issued by GB chief secretary Babar Hayat Tarar on Friday, in pursuance of decision of GB cabinet on Oct 11, the government is pleased to declare Saturday as working day for all government departments, attached departments, special institutions and autonomous bodies, including the election commission, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat and Northern Areas Transport Corporation with effect from Nov 1, 2018. The notification said 9am to 4pm, excluding lunch and tea break, will be office timings from Monday to Saturday. Friday, which will be half day, the office hours will be from 9am to 12.30pm.

Meanwhile, the GB governor cancelled the notification of posting of his official secretary, Waqar Mir.

An official source said Waqar Mir, the secretary to Governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon, had been transferred and posted secretary social works recently on direction of the chief secretary.

According to a letter sent to GB secretary services and cabinet department by the governor secretariat on Friday, the notification regarding transfer of secretary to governor was clear violation of schedule four of GB rules of business 2009.

It said GB governor by exercising his powers conferred under rules 3(33) of GB rules of business cancelled the notification regarding transfer of Waqar Mir.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2018