Peace is my priority, says G-B governor

GILGIT: Declaring peace in the region is my government’s top priority, newly appointed governor to Gilgit-Baltistan, Pir Karam Ali Shah, said on Tuesday.

“If there is no peace, development is elusive. We should first ensure that peace is here,” Shah told reporters soon after he was sworn in as governor Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday.

The oath taking ceremony had twice been delayed as Shah couldn’t reach Gilgit-Baltistan, due to cancellation of flights because of bad weather.

The seasoned politician, who hails from Ghizer valley, has served as deputy chief executive of the region in 1994. After the death of Dr Shamma Khalid, Pir Karam Ali is the second governor of Gilgit-Baltistan apart from Wazir Baig, who was acting governor for almost five months after the death of Dr Shamma in September last year.

Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court, Justice Nawaz Khan Abbasi administered oath to him. Chief Minister Mehdi Shah, cabinet members and advisers attended the ceremony.

“President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have been taking keen interest in the affairs of this region,” said the governor as he was greeted by PPP workers in the historic Chinar Bagh.

Chief Minister Mehdi Shah said it was his desire that someone from the PPP should be made governor. I am thankful to the president that he honoured our wish, he said, adding “We hope he will deliver.”

Mehdi Shah said the name of a woman was also under consideration for the slot, but he had told the president about the “reservations” people had about that. “A woman wouldn’t have been an ideal option for G-B and we are thankful to the president for a male governor,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2011.