Acting Governor distributes cheques among Attabad and Sarat IDPs

Wazir Baig gets historial reception on first visit of Hunza as Acting Governor GB

PT Report

Hunza, November 25: The Acting Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Wazir Baig, distributed cheques amounting two (2) lacs each among the 141 displaced households of Attabad and Sarat. He was accompanied by Minister of Food and Agriculture, Muhammad Jaffar, who had announced this amount before Ramazan.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Wazir said that the Federal Government has already transferred compensation PKR 603,000 for each affected family, which will be distributed after the relevant authorities agree on the rehabilitation formula.

He said the region holds great geo-strategic importance and the Government of Pakistan has contacted the Chinese Government to take care of the border tehsil, cut-off due to lake formation. He said President Zardari has assured them to stress on the Chinese Government to initiate development projects in GB. The Chinese Government has provided food and non-food items to the people of Gojal and also assured to provide relief to all the affected people of GB, he said.  He said the visit of some VVIP officials is expected to the Attabad disaster site in order to witness the severity of the problem and speed-up the realignment of KKH.  He said the people of Hunza are highly educated and this should depict from their actions.  He quoted the examples of the people of Chipurson and Shimshal, who have demanded the up-gradation of schools rather than any relief items.

He rejected the allegations for illegal appointments in Governor Secretariat and said that he would resign if any cases of nepotism and corruption were proved against him. He is ready to take the responsibilities of Governorship, if President Zardari decides so, he added.

Senior Minister GB said that delay in the payment was due to the widespread destructions in the country and his own constituency. He said the Government has not yet paid single penny to the heirs of the 188 people who lost their lives during the flood.

Later, a delegation of the journalists from Hunza-Nagar met the Governor and informed him of the hardships of the journalist community in performing their duties. The Governor assured all-out support for the local journalists.

Earlier, the Governor received a historical reception when he reached Aliabad on his first official visit to Hunza after resuming the office.  The leaders from all major political parties, Nambardars and political activists were present to greet the son of the soil.