GILGIT, March 5: The federal finance ministry has slapped a ban on new appointments in Gilgit-Baltistan.

GB finance department officials told this correspondent the federal ministry had taken serious notice of creation of new posts by some departments and had asked it (the finance department) to furnish details of the posts.

The official said a huge amount of Rs600 million had been allocated to meet the expenditure of the new posts.

He said public works and water and power departments had also been asked to furnish details of their 11,368 temporary employees. These departments were further directed to not make any new recruitments even as a result of retirement, resignation or death of any employee. Other departments were also asked to do the same.

The federal finance ministry, the officials said, had also directed to not to shift funds from one head to another, adding the GB chief secretary had been strictly directed to ensure compliance of the directives of the federal finance ministry.

WATER SHORTAGE: Several areas of Gilgit city have been hit by worst shortage of water as the water and sanitation agency (Wasa) has failed to ensure supply of clean drinking water to the residents.

Residents of Muslim Colony, Mujahid Colony and Markaz Colony complained that there was no water for past one week. “We have approached Wasa time and again to resolve the matter but no effort has been taken in this regard,” said Orangzeb Khan, resident of Mujahid Colony. He said Wasa was also suffering shortage of staff.