Action committee announces protest move from May 1

GILGIT: The awami action committee here announced its decision to launch a protest movement from May 1 if the government failed to accept its charter of demands by then. Speaking at a press conference at the local press club, committee’ convener Maulana Sultan Raees along with members Safdar Ali, Yasub Uddin, Fida Hussain, Mohamad Ali Shah and others said that instead of coming to the rescue of the people affected by the recent rains and landslides the PML-N government rubbed salt to the injuries of the masses by issuing false promises and press statements. It would have been better had the provincial government approached the federal government as well as international donor agencies to arrange relief items for the affected people. But the government functionaries remain silent spectators while a bag of wheat flour continued selling in the market in front of them and the poor people ran from pillar to post to get daily-use items that too on exorbitant prices. He also alleged that the relief items provided by the Punjab government were doled out to the workers and supporters of the PML-N in Gilgit-Baltistan while the deserving people remain deprived of any assistance.  He claimed that he had proof of this. Maulana Raees said that the food crisis in the region after the rain was caused by the wrong policies of the government regarding the subsidized wheat. He demanded that the government should ensure that wheat and petroleum products should be stocked to meet for at least six months’ requirements of the local people because the Karakoram Highway frequently gets blocked. He also said that in order to keep Gilgit-Baltistan linked with other parts of the country, the Babusar pass and Shandur pass roads should be made all weather while work on the construction of the Shuntar road should also be expedited. He said that besides these, all the old trade routes linking the area with other parts of the country should be opened so that tourism can be promoted in the region. Maulana Raees was of the view that the government should work to eliminate corruption from all the departments and the chief minister and his ministers should work for the welfare of the masses.  He alsos aid that the contracts for the constructions of powerhouses should be given to the Chinese firms and these should be built on rivers no on streams so that there is no danger of their damage by floods. In reply to a question, Maulana Raees said that the action committee had been activated in all the districts. He said that the protest movement would be launched with a big public gathering at Ittehad Chowk in the Gilgit city on May 1 and the movement would continue till the acceptance of the charter of demands.

Thanx Dee Jay Mathal Chife Editor Bang e sahar