Chief courrt rejects objection over port election

By: Zulfiqar Ali Khan

Hunza, October 22: The Chief Court of Northern Areas has rejected the objections filed by the former management led by Chief Executive of Northern Areas Ghazanfar Ali Khan against the election of Sost Dry Port Trust held on October 6 under the supervision of Civil Judge, Aliabad, Hunza. Justice Muzzafar Ali and Justice Sahib Khan in their verdict regarded the election legal, transparent and according to the direction of the Chief Court. The Court has also officially notified the election result.

It is important here to remind the readrs that cabinet of Afsar Jan had won the first ever election of Silk Route Dry Port Trust, getting 77 out of 133 votes. About 20 supporters of the new cabinet were unable to vote due to their absence in Hunza. The Civil Judge, Aliabad was Returning Officer of the election. The winning cabinet is comprised of Afsar Jan, Chairman; Hoor Shah, Senior Vice Chairman and Raza Muhammad as Vice Chairman.

According to reliable sources, the former cabinet is creating misunderstandings between the newly elected cabinet and the Chinese partners. The source told this correspondent that a letter has been sent to Yuan Jiamin to not cooperate with the new cabinet.

The newly elected Chairman of the port trust, Ali Afsar, has expressed his confidence over the court and local administration and has announced to include the names of all shareholders in port deed and ensure merit in management recruitments. He has blamed Saleem Khan for illegally drawing 5 crore loan from banks for personal uses by using the signatures of seven Pakistani and Chinese directors and management personnel.

Meanwhile, the port official has broken the locks of two offices occupied by Eman Shah, Vice Chairman, District Council Gilgit, in the presence of local administration.