Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Mehdi Shah threatened to put an end to Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) operations in G-B if the airline does not increase the number of flights to the region.
The statement was issued during the third day of proceedings in G-B’s legislative assembly on Wednesday.
“We will go for a private airline instead; that’s what I told Birjees Tahir yesterday,” Shah said, referring to his meeting with the federal minister for G-B and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
Shah criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for issuing directions to quash the quota on special seats in PIA for CM and other VIPs last year. He added the move has made the journey from G-B to Islamabad particularly difficult, even for top officials. Similarly, the Boeing that used to operate in Skardu was also replaced by the federal government with a smaller plane.
The dilapidated condition of Karakoram Highway coupled with limited flights to G-B causes inconvenience to passengers, said Shah.
Resolution against protests
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday moved a resolution to condemn Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) for ongoing demonstrations in Islamabad.
The resolution was moved by PML-N lawmaker Janbaz Khan, opposition leader in the assembly. He billed the protests an attempt to sabotage the country’s economy.
“They have earned a bad reputation for the country in addition to causing a tremendous loss to the exchequer.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Bashir Ahmed vehemently opposed the motion. He termed the demands made by the PTI and PAT as legitimate and insisted they were exercising their constitutional right to protest.
‘Slander’
Lawmakers demanded strict action against G-B planning secretary Saad Khan for making “harsh comments” against the people of Diamer district.
Opposition leader Janbaz Khan informed the house that Saad Khan had referred to the people of Diamer district as “terrorists” in a letter to the planning commission in Islamabad.
The slanderous remark was widely condemned. The lawmakers demanded a probe into the matter and insisted action be taken against Saad Khan.
Mehdi Shah said he had ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2014.
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........... "He added the move has made the journey from G-B to Islamabad particularly difficult, even for top officials".........that's still the mentality.....TOP OFFICIALS. The writing on the wall is still not clear.
Why does CM Mehdi Shah believe he and his cohorts deserve VIP seats on a PIA Plane. Mr Shah should remember he begged the people to vote for him. Mr Shah in a democracy that makes you a paid servant of the people. You Mr Shah are NOT the Master of the people. Got it Mr Shah ? Is there anything here you have not understood ?