GILGIT, July 11: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah has said that the federal government will help make the Skardu airport an all-weather airport. Mehdi Shah said he had met the federal defence secretary who had assured to ensure uninterrupted air traffic to and from the Skardu airport.

The chief minister was addressing a press conference in Skardu on Monday. He said those raising hue and cry over corruption were themselves corrupt and were only hoodwinking the public.

Without naming the chief minister declared that a local daily was churning out biased material aimed at attacking his family and his personal life. He said the Mohsin Industries was given exploration licence on the demand of public and it was the 27th company which entered the mineral fields of GB.

Mr Shah said foreign investment was brought to the region on public demand and therefore its opposition was uncalled for. He said the Federal Investigation Agency was being streamlined in the region to curb menace of corruption.

He said civic bodies in the region were being put on the patterns of CDA and LDA. Mr Shah criticised the former deputy chief executive, saying projects initiated by him had been left incomplete. ANNIVERSARY:

The Ismailee community observed 49th Imamat Anniversary of Prince Karim Aga Khan who was conferred upon the spiritual leadership by his grandfather Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah on July 1957 as the 48th Imam of the community.

Like other parts of the country, the day was dawned with special prayers for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country and promotion of brotherhood among the Muslims.

Special functions, events and religious congregations were organised across the Gilgit-Baltistan which were attended by thousands of faithful.

The speakers paid rich tributes to the Imam and urged followers to forge unity and work for promotion of brotherhood.

They highlighted the significance of the day and stressed the need for following the teachings of Prince Karim Aga Khan in true sense to serve the humanity. The speakers congratulated the audience and said the day called for human service.

The community centres and worship points were decorated while the illumination on mountains gave an attractive look in this mountainous region.

Various sports and recreational activities were also held to celebrate the day. The chief minister, governor, speaker and deputy speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly congratulated the Ismailee Muslims on this day.

The GB government had announced a local holiday while strict security measures were adopted on the day. —Correspondent