Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly: Security problems anger parliamentarians

Shabbir Mir

GILGIT: Concern over Gilgit-Baltistan’s security situation highlighted assembly proceedings in the region’s legislative assembly on Monday.

Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly Wazir Baig expressed concern over the performance of law enforcing agencies in maintaining law and order, adding that there are 11 security agencies in Gilgit.  “They are paid as much as they want, but their performance is not satisfactory,” Baig said.

He said that the chief minister should take note of the situation, adding that he should come to attend the assembly proceedings in the future.

Target killings remained the focus of the discussion, as opposition benches unleashed relentless criticism on the government. Over the past three days, at least two people including a senior PPP leader Mir Nawaz have been gunned down by armed men in Gilgit. Most lawmakers accused the government of failing to providing security to people.

Earlier, lawmaker Raziuddin criticised the government and said it had failed to maintain peace, adding that the agencies have failed to deliver despite millions of rupees being spent on them. “They are aware of who is behind the disruption of law and order in Gilgit,” he said.

Mirza Hussain, a PML-Q parliamentarian said the government should step down as it had failed to bring development funds from the centre. The region has received only Rs40 million, which is a shame for the government, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2011.

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