GILGIT, Sept 5: Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly members on Wednesday complained of irregularities in the internal security, development and flood protection expenditure and demanded inquiry into them.

During an assembly session chaired by Speaker Wazir Baig, they also expressed concern about deteriorating law and order situation in the region and blamed the federal government for it.

Law minister Wazir Shakil complained that the centre didn’t help Gilgit-Baltistan manage its financial and administrative affairs and that capable officers were not being posted to the region.

He admitted that his government had yet not been successful in protecting public life and property.

Lawmaker Mirza Hussain accused the people in the government of embezzling huge development funds. He also said internal security funds weren’t used judiciously.

“We are part of the government but are not being taken on board by it in the decision making exercise. It is a complete failure of the coalition government,” he said.

Finance minister Ali Akhtar said the secretary of his department didn’t follow his directives and that the chief minister and chief secretary were interfering with the affairs of his ministry causing problems for him.

He said the centre gave Rs5 billion to Gilgit-Baltistan but despite that, the regional government secured Rs3 billion loans.

The minister said he didn’t know about the internal security expenditure. He said many government officials rented their official vehicles to earn money but the illegal practice was continuing without let or hindrance.

Deputy speaker Jamil Ahmad said the matter should be investigated and the culpable officials, if any, should be dealt with strictly.

Opposition leader Haji Janbaz Khan criticised the government over poor law and order situation and said the chief minister, his ministers and relevant bureaucrats were to blame for it.

He asked the finance minister to resign over failure to control the secretary of his department.

Lawmaker Didar Ali demanded representation of fellow members in foreign tours undertaken by Pakistani leaders. He urged the centre to respect the opinion of Gilgit-Baltistan about the posting of officers.

The House was later adjourned to meet again on Monday.

Meanwhile, Karakoram Highway was blocked on Wednesday at Sandachal point near Jaglote, some 65 kilometres east of Gilgit, after heavy rainfall.

It was however opened to light traffic only after a few hours.

The rain began late on Tuesday and continued until the next morning increasing water level in rivers and nullahs.