Source (Tribune) The killing of a man and his son and the ensuing incidents in Hunza last week widened the rift between Gilgit-Baltistan’s chief minister and assembly speaker, weakening the position of both leaders in the region, sources said on Tuesday.

“The incident at the first instance was a shock for speaker Wazir Baig, who himself belongs to Hunza,” a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said, while requesting anonymity. He added that the series of arrests that came in wake of the riots shattered the trust of the speaker who now holds CM Mehdi Shah and his government responsible.

Baig faced relentless criticism from the people of Gojal who had been stranded in the valley due to the formation of the Attabad Lake and the submergence of Karakoram Highway.

The PPP source said that the problems faced by the people, together with the delay in compensation caused huge embarrassment for the speaker being a native of Hunza.

Although he tried his best to come up to people’s expectations, he failed to resolve any issue.

“In addition to these issues, the killings and riots added fuel to fire and Baig burst out at the bureaucracy for hatching conspiracies against his government,” the source added.

The chief minister, in turn, decided to ‘cut Baig to size’ after learning about his ‘unwarranted’ comments, according to the source.

Source (Express Tribune) The Supreme Appellate Court (SAC) Gilgit-Baltistan took suo motu action on Thursday against the rising incidents of target killings in Gilgit.

An official said that the court directed the chief secretary, IG police and secretary home to submit report to the court in this respect by March 14. “The proceedings of the case would start from March 15,” said the official.

Following the murder of senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Mir Nawaz Khan, lawyers in Gilgit had passed a resolution urging SAC Chief Justice Nawaz Abbasi to take action against the assassination. The Supreme Appellate Court Bar lawyers had also expressed distrust in police investigations into the case, fearing that the fate of this case too would be similar to other unresolved ones.

Mir Nawaz Khan, a lawyer by profession, was assassinated last month by armed men outside his house in Gilgit, triggering the revival of sectarian skirmishes which left five people injured in the ensuing days.

Source (Tribune) Rowdy protesters on Sunday took over parts of the city, blocked roads and burnt tires following the assassination of a senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader.

Advocate Mir Nawaz, gunned down late on Saturday, was laid to rest in Gilgit on Sunday in the presence of thousands of mourners.

An advocate by profession, the 50-year-old PPP stalwart had been an active member of the party throughout his career.

Traffic on roads remained low and all major markets were closed as protesters demanding the arrest of the killers. They blocked roads over an hour.

“We want exemplary punishment for the killers,” the protesters chanted.

Mohammad Haiz, a police official in Cantt Police Station, said that they had made two arrests so far and were investigating.

Mir Nawaz was a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and was shot dead on Shaheed-e-Millat Road in Gilgit at around 9:00 pm on Saturday. He was fired upon by unidentified persons riding a motor bike, family sources claimed, adding that he was taken to the nearby hospital where he succumb to the injuries.

His family had previously been attacked in the same locality. Police stepped up security in the town in an attempt to maintain peace.

Last month, unidentified men shot and injured two senior PML-N leaders in Gilgit, triggering a fresh wave of violence between rival groups.

Chief Minster Mehdi Shah offered his condolence on the death of the PPP stalwart. “Mir Nawaz was a committed leader of the party and his sacrifices will always be remembered,” he said.

Source (Dawn) Unidentified motorcyclists on Saturday evening opened indiscriminate fire on a senior politician of Pakistan People`s Party, Mir Nawaz Khan, injuring him critically. He was taken to hospital but expired there.

He was attacked near Rax Cinema, senior police officials said. Mir Nawaz was also a senior advocate of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Acting Superintendent of Police Bashir Ahmed told Dawn that Mir Nawaz was going to nearby market from his residence when motorcyclists showered him with bullets. He was taken to DHQ hospital but could not survive.

The slain PPP leader was a senior advocate and known as an advocate of peace and was widely respected for his balanced and unbiased personality.

The Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Speaker Legislative Assembly Wazir Baig, Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed, in separate statements condemned the killing of party leader and described it a cowardly act. They expressed deep sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul. COMPENSATION:

The Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah on Saturday distributed cheques worth Rs964,333 million among 214 families of Thore village of Diamer district as compensation for their land acquired to build staff colony for the workers of the Diamir-Bhasha Dam project.

The cheques were distributed at a ceremony held at Chilas rest house, which was also attended by the notables, civil officers and public representatives. The water and power development authority has acquired 1,200 Kanal of land in Thore village for constructing the staff colony.

While addressing the gathering the chief minister said that the dam would bring prosperity not only in this area but the entire country. He said the dam would provide job opportunities to the locals and would be milestone in uplift of the region.

The chief minister also announced Rs10,000 for the welfare of journalists and Rs50,000 each for boys scouts and the Peoples Students Federation.

The chief minister said the Diamer Forest Fund would be utilised for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people.

Advocate Mir Nawaz Khan, has been shot dead at near his home by unknown gunmen. Mir Nawaz Advocate was one of the senior most leaders of PPP in Gilgit Baltistan. Police has filed FIR.

Source (Daily Times) Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said present government had paid special attention towards the development and progress of the Northern Areas.

He was talking with Gilgit Baltistan Governor Pir Syed Karam Ali Shah, who called on him at his office here on Wednesday, where the Sindh CM warmly greeted him. Qaim appreciated the concerted efforts being taken by Gilgit Baltistan governor for resolving the problems faced by Northern Areas people.

Gilgit Baltistan governor, speaking on the occasion, said that the present government of PPP initiated various development schemes with the result, the area came under umbrella of progress and change.

He said it was the present government, which had given status of province to Gilgit and Baltistan, and credit goes to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Both leaders also discussed matters of mutual interest. Later the Sindh CM presented shield of CM House and traditional gifts of Sindhi cap and Ajrak to Gilgit Baltistan governor. staff report