GILGIT, Nov 8 NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain has called for immediate representation of Gilgit-Baltistan in the National Assembly and Senate.

Flanked by leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP) during a press conference here on Sunday, the minister said that the dispute of boundaries between the Frontier province and Gilgit-Baltistan would be resolved amicably.

Mr Hussain announced to double the quota of students from the region in all professional institutions in the NWFP.

The minister said that the ANP would fight to ensure autonomy to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, saying that strong units of the country guaranteed a stronger federation. He urged the national airline to start flight services from Gilgit-Baltistan to other provinces.

Mr Hussain said that the Election Commission should play role to hold free fair and transparent elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, due on Nov 12.

He stressed the need for peace in the area and said that every one should unite to combat extremism in the country. The ANP would be reorganised in the area. People of both regions shared many cultural values, he added.

PM VISIT Programme is being finalised for the visit of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who is scheduled to visit Gilgit-Baltistan on Nov 10, says the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

“Women are the most important segment of a society and without their participation, development is impossible. The PPP believes in empowerment of womenfolk that is why the party has focused on women emancipation,” said labour leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed during a press conference in Gilgit, the capital city of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Mr Ahmed, who is also in-charge PPP election campaign in the area, said that the Benazir Income Support Programme was an attempt to improve the economic condition of the women in the country.

He claimed that the PPP was also paying special attention to develop the condition of the youth by providing them opportunities of employment.

On this occasion, Liaqat Ali, an independent candidate, withdrew in favour of PPP-backed candidate Aftab Haider from LA-3 constituency Gilgit.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the PPP, Rana Hussain Ali, has reacted to allegations levelled by the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and said that the party did not believe in undemocratic practices.

The party would not rig elections in the region. Talking to journalists, he said that the polls would be free, fair and transplant.

CANDIDATE DETAILS The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan has said that 264 candidates were contesting elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.

In a statement it said that 99 candidates belonged to different political parties while the number of independents was 165.

Giving details of the parties, the Election Commission said that the PPP had fielded 23 candidates, Muttahida Qaumi Movement 20, Pakistan Muslim League-N 15, Pakistan Muslim League-Q 14, Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance 10, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F 6, Balawaristan National Front 4, Awami National Party 3 and Jamaat Islami 2.

GB SNOWFALL The upper parts of Gilgit-Baltistan received first snowfall on Sunday.

The region was in grip of cold wave which would further increase as the winter is approaching fast. According to reports, Hunza, Tero, Yasin, Minimarg, Phandar Terro, Shimshal and Qamri Rato received first snowfall.