GILGIT, Jan 19: The Northern Areas administration, in collaboration with members of the Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC), has started reconciliation efforts to restore peace in Gilgit.

The Northern Areas Deputy Chief Executive Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Northern Areas Legislative Council members Muhammad Ali Akhtar, Mirza Hussain, Ghulam Muhammad, Pir Karam Ali Shah, Sultan Madad, Haider Khan, Fidaullah Advocate and Muzaffar Ali and top officials of the administration visited the families affected by the tragic incident and offered dua for the departed souls. The reconciliation team condemned the incident.

Addressing a press conference, the Northern Areas home secretary, Jamil Ahmed, said that they had engaged local politicians and NALC members in peace efforts and, together, they should remove the apprehensions of the public regarding security.

As part of a long-term plan, he said, the government was considering empowering local people, revamping the government departments and strengthening institutions, including the judiciary, in the region.

He said before the tragic January 8 incident, which claimed 16 lives, the local circumstances were quite rife for exploitation by terrorist elements. Regional police chief Shakhiullah Tareen claimed that a major breakthrough had been achieved during investigations and 8 suspects wanted in the murder of Shia leader Agha Ziauddin and others arrested.

The District Magistrate on Wednesday said that the situation in Gilgit remained peaceful and the curfew continued for the 12th day. A prolonged curfew break was given on Wednesday from 7am to 1pm.