NWA operation: G-B beefs up security to avoid infiltration of militants

Additional forces deployed along Karakoram Highway, other routes leading to the region.

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government on Monday claimed security has been increased along all routes leading to G-B to stop infiltration of militants fleeing operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan.

“In view of the operation in the tribal areas, we have deployed additional forces along Karakoram Highway and other routes to foil terrorism plots and infiltration of militants,” home secretary Attaur Rahman told reporters at the Gilgit Press Club, after the oath taking ceremony of newly-elected members of the press club.

“Geographically, North Waziristan is too far from G-B and internally displaced persons (IDP) coming here for refuge is not likely,” said Rahman when asked if the G-B government would accommodate IDPs if they made their way into Diamer district, which shares its boundary with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) Kohistan district.

Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing the north western tribal region after the Pakistan Army began an offensive against militants.

Camps for displaced people have been set up near Bannu and other places, but reportedly lack food, water and electricity, forcing many displaced families to seek shelter with friends and relatives.

G-B Minister for Information Sadia Danish administered the oath to office bearers during the ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Speaker of G-B legislative assembly Jamil Ahmed and Information Department Deputy Director Farooq Ahmed, among others.

During her speech, the information minister urged journalists to write factually accurate reports and follow the rules and ethics of journalism. She also assured journalists their grievances would be resolved soon.

The information department’s deputy director appreciated the role of media and hoped it would do better in coming days.

Earlier, newly sworn-in president of the press club, Khursheed Ahmed, briefed guests about issues being faced by journalists in G-B.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2014.