New developments at Sost Dry Port

By: Zulfiqar Ali Khan

Hunza, June 11: Officials of Chinese embassy and Pak-China Joint Venture Company are on visit of Hunza and Gilgit, to peacefully resolve the Sost Dry Port issue and finalise the coming board meeting agenda to be held during coming days in Kashghar, China. The meeting was expected to be held on June 12, however due to unknown reasons, it was postponed at last moment.

Wang Ting, representative, Pak China Joint Venture Company has visited Sost Dry Port and held detailed meeting with the new cabinet. Afsar Jan, Chairman Sost Dry Port Trust, Muhammad Raza, Senior Vice Chairman, Niaz Baig and Babar Ali have represented the new cabinet in the meeting. The new cabinet has briefed the Chinese party about the new developments in Sost Dry Port Trust affairs after the trust election and the decision of session court Gilgit in favour of the new cabinet.

The new cabinet has demanded from the Chinese party to immediately call the board meeting and legitimise the new cabinet, in order to avoid further confusion regarding port affairs. According to sources, the Chinese party has apologised for delaying the board meeting. The Chinese representative has said that during her visit the meeting agenda will be finalised in consultation of all stakeholders.

Wang Ting will also held meeting with Northern Areas Administration to get briefing about the new developments in dry port affairs.

The Chinese Deputy Ambassador in Pakistan is also on official visit of Gilgit. According to sources, he will also visit Sost and Khunjerab Pass with high military officials. The purpose of his visit is said, to discuss widening of KKH, Sost Dry Port affairs and other issues of Chinese interest with Northern Areas Administration.

The visit of a high official from Chinese embassy is also given more importance due to the American speculations about the presence of Osama Bin Laden in Northern Areas.