Security measures: 35 Gilgit-bound vehicles stopped

Hazara Commissioner Khalid Umerzai says that the decision was taken fearing attacks on passenger buses.

MANSEHRA: The district administration of Mansehra has barred all Gilgit-bound passenger vehicles from moving onward, leaving dozens of passengers stranded. Passengers staged a protest against the administration, blocking the Karakoram Highway till the convoy was allowed to move forward. The police said that over 35 passenger buses had left Rawalpindi for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), however, the first convoy of 14 buses was stopped near Jhari Kas, Hazara’s entry point. They said that they had been waiting for clearance for the past 48 hours despite the fact the passengers included people who were ill, children and elderly people. After the passengers protested, they were allowed to continue their journey. Hazara Commissioner Khalid Umerzai said the decision was taken fearing attacks on passenger buses.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2012.