GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GBCCI) has criticised the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for not being able to release water from the spillway of the artificially formed Hunza lake.

They threatened to block the Karakoram Highway and close down government offices in the Sust town if the government didn’t ensure early release of water.

President of the GBCCI Javed Hussain, while addressing a press conference here on Sunday, said the FWO had badly failed to do its job.

He claimed that the GBCCI was capable of clearing the spillway if it was asked for the job.

Mr Javed flanked by members of other sister organisations of the GBCCI was of the view that some hidden hands wanted to disturb trade relations between Pakistan and China. He demanded of the government to take immediate action and provide the traders an easy access to the Sust dry port.

He criticised the role of district Hunza Nagar administration for delaying the release of water from the lake. He said the traders of GB were heavily relying on Pak-China border trade which had been badly affected by the lake.