[Gojal Strike] Protest demonstration held in Islamabad, Dr. Farooq Sattar pledges support for IDPs

PT Report

Islamabad, May 19: A group of protesters gathered in front of the National Press Club Islamabad to highlight plight of the people affected due to damming of the Hunza River in Gojal Valley. The demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and demanded urgent resolution of issues faced by 457 IDP households.

The protest demonstration was also addressed by Deputy Convenor of Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Dr. Farooq Sattar. He assured the protesters that issues of the IDPs will be raised in the federal cabinet meeting. He also announced to prioritize rehabilitation of the people displaced by Attabad, Sarat, Ayeenabad, Shishkat and Gulmit during the coming budget.

The protest demonstration was being led by former GBLA candidate, Raja Shehbaz Khan, who alleged that instead of resolving issues of the IDPs, the GB government was threatening them of ending their strike, or face bullets and tear gases. He condemned such statements by government officials and representatives.

The demonstration was attended by a group of Islamabad and Rawalpindi based residents of Gojal Valley.

In the meanwhile, the protesters in Gojal Valley have continued their strike for the fifth consecutive day, creating a major crisis in Gilgit – Baltistan. It is pertinent to note that Gojal Valley is a magistracy located at the Sino-Pak border, also sharing borders with Afghanistan and Kashmir.

President of Gilgit Chamber of Commerce, Javed Hussain, has said that the week-long strike has inflicted heavy losses on Sino-Pak road trade. He has urged the government to resolve issues of the IDPs on urgent basis so that the forcefully suspended boat service can be made operational.