GILGIT, Dec 22 A strike called by public transporters in Gilgit entered second day on Tuesday affecting normal life and creating problems for commuters. The Gilgit transport union, which has called the strike, has vowed to go ahead with the step till acceptance of their demand for an increase in fares following hike in prices of the petroleum products.

There was no public transport service between Gilgit and its vicinities like Jutial, Danyore and Basin and Gilgit to Astore. The employees of public and private institutions could not reach their offices and students their academic institutions on account of the strike. However, some transport companies did not suspend their service and plied vehicles between Gilgit and rest of the country.

The commuters alleged that the official transport company, Northern Area Transport Corporation (NATCO), had become part of the strike in some places because its service was also not available between Astore and other parts of the country. This correspondent tried to contact officials of the NATCO to ascertain whether or not it supported the strike through phone calls but no one attended the calls.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan, Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad visited Gilgit Press Club and apprised himself of the difficulties being faced by the journalists. The chief secretary was accompanied by Inspector General Police, Syed Tehsin Anwar Ali Shah, Home Secretary Mohammad Usman Yonis and officials of the district administration. He was given briefing about the Gilgit Press Club and Union of Journalists. The chief secretary appreciated the positive role of media in the region and assured that their problems would be resolved at the earliest.—Correspondent