Geographically, G-B is the most sensitive region of the country and therefore merits more attention than the rest of the provinces, says G-B Chief Minister
GILGIT:
Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Mehdi Shah has asked the federal government to provide additional resources to help the region overcome terrorism.
“We are doing our best despite our limited resources, but it is not enough. If the federal government is sincere, it should assist us in combating terrorism,” said Shah on Tuesday while referring to last month’s brazen assault at a base camp of Nanga Parbat where militants in paramilitary uniform gunned down 10 foreign trekkers along with their Pakistani guide.
“Geographically, G-B is the most sensitive region of the country and therefore merits more attention from the high-ups than the rest of the provinces,” he told The Express Tribune via phone.
Shah urged political forces to cooperate with the government in combating the menace of terrorism “instead of playing politics on other issues.” Terming the residents “loyal”, he said the region had gotten a bad name due to enemy forces.
Meanwhile, the police in G-B said it is working closely with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police to arrest those responsible for the Nanga Parbat incident.
The G-B government earlier disclosed the identities of 16 suspected attackers, six of whom were said to be from Kohistan and Mansehra districts of K-P while the rest are reportedly from Diamer valley.
“We are in close contact with the K-P police to secure the arrest of the accused from Kohistan and Mansehra,” said DIG police Ali Sher. “Information sharing is on, and hopefully we will get to them (the attackers) soon,” he added.
Of the 10 suspects from Diamer valley, police claim to have arrested three while search for the rest is ongoing.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2013.
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