GILGIT, Nov 1: The blockade of Karakoram Highway at Chilas continues on the eighth day on Thursday. There is no progress in negotiations going on between the local administration and armed protesters for the last two days.

Protesters said that since they had blocked the KKH on the call of Mufti Shamzai, they would end it only after he visited Diamer and persuade them to do so.

Mufti Shamzai, sources said, could not arrive in Diamer by 8.30pm with the result that blockade was continuing.

Meanwhile, the Northern Areas Legislative Council has sent a delegation to take part in negotiations.

An official source told this correspondent that it would take at least two days to clear boulders from the highway even if the protesters withdraw their sit-in on the KKH.