Shift GB capital out of Gilgit city, elders of Diamer demand

March 7: Expressing concerns over the deteriorating condition of law and order in Gilgit city, the elders and Ulema of Diamer district have demanded of the government to shift provincial headquarter from Gilgit to some other “safe and peaceful place”.

Presenting a memorandum, on behalf of the notables, to Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and FCNA Commander, chief of the Elders Committee, Maulana Inayat, said that people of Diamer felt insecure in Gilgit because of the rampant violence.

Maulana Inayat, while representing the committee, also demanded that circuit benches of Supreme Appellate and Chief Court should be established in Chilas, along with camp office of the Chief Secretary. This, he said, would ensure convenience and safety of the people belonging to Diamer and Astore. It is pertinent to note that around 8 people had belonging to different parts of GB were killed in Gilgit during the month of January, including some from Diamer and Astore.

“If the circuit benches of the higher judiciary and the camp office of chief secretary are not established people of Diamar will boycott the Gilgit as provincial headquarter and no man for the area will go to pursue their cases in the higher courts”, he reportedly warned.

He also demanded that the educational curriculum should not be changed adding that the ‘elements who are trying to raise this issue once again are not sincere with the region’.

Elders of Diamar in memorandum terming the Kohistan tragedy a heinous crime demanded all the terrorists involved  in this barbaric act should be brought to justice.

They also demanded of the government to implement the peace accord of 2005.

The GB government had recently formed the “Diamer Division”, comprising of the districts of Astore and Diamer, to facilitate the region’s populace.