GILGIT, July 16: The Gilgit police claimed on Saturday to have arrested the mastermind behind the murder of Pakistan People’s Party leader Mir Nawaz Khan who was assassinated a couple of months ago.

The police said Ashiq Hussain Changaizi had planned and perpetuated the killing of Mr Mir Nawaz. He was arrested from the Gilgit city.

Police said Ashiq Hussain was also wanted in other cases of heinous nature and had been declared as an absconder by the court. He was handed over to the investigation wing.

WHEAT QUOTA: The Lawmakers have welcomed the decision of the president to enhance the wheat quota for Gilgit-Baltistan helping the regional administration to overcome the shortage of the commodity. Lawmaker Shireen Fatima told Dawn on Saturday it was a landmark decision of President Asif Ali Zardari to enhance wheat quota for the GB from 1.5 million bags to 2 million bags.

She said the Pakistan People’s Party-led government had done a great favour to the people of GB. She said the subsidy on wheat had been kept intact, which will benefit poor masses.

She called for cleansing the food department of malpractices so that the measures taken by the centre could benefit the public.

BANNED: The administration of Gilgit district has banned cultivation of corn crop in the city areas on the pretext that it poses security threat, official sources said. The sources said in the past anti-state elements took refuge in maize crop after committing crimes.

The sources said the ban had been imposed on certain parts located along the roads. The maize fields were used by criminals to carry out ambushes.

The sources said the administration had promised to compensate the farmers for the losses.

PLEASANT WEATHER: The Gilgit-Baltistan received heavy rain early on Saturday, which turned the weather pleasant. The rains also increased water flows in the rivers and nullahs.