Targeted attacks in G-B: Labour Party slams government’s approach

Terms all parties’ conference a futile exercise.

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) chapter of the Labour Party has termed the all parties’ conference a futile exercise that is not likely to bring about long-lasting peace in the region.

“The real stakeholders of the region have been neglected while those invited do not have much to offer for peace building in G-B,” a party spokesperson said on Saturday. He said that lawyers’ forums, students’ forums and other non-government organisations should have been consulted in the matter.

This week, the Mehdi Shah-led government convened a conference to find solutions to the chronic issue of targeted attacks that left at least two Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders injured last week. Issues pertaining to the deteriorating law and order situation in G-B were also discussed. Participants at the conference had suggested deweaponisation of the city and arming police stations in Gilgit.

The spokesperson said that the Labour Party believed the conference was a “face saving effort” by the government in wake of severe criticism over the recurring violence.

The spokesperson claimed that the government was not sincere in its efforts to restore peace and that the government should form a “grand forum” that will include the police, Rangers, and G-B Scouts. The recommendations of these three organisations should be followed, he added.

In addition, the spokesperson said that separate committees consisting of members from troubled areas of Gilgit should be formed and each committee member be held accountable for any crime that occurs in his/her area.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2011.