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Gilgit-Baltistan demands to review Chitral-Tajikistan Road Plan

Tajikistan Materials 17 September 2011 14:01 (UTC +04:00)
The legislative Assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan has passed a resolution that demands that the Tajikistan-Pakistan connecting road must be constructed through Ghizar District of Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan demands to review Chitral-Tajikistan Road Plan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 14 / Trend /

The legislative Assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan has passed a resolution that demands that the Tajikistan-Pakistan connecting road must be constructed through Ghizar District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Dardistan times reports. The resolution submitted by Nawaz Khan Naji- a GBLA member from Ghizar-was passed by the house unanimously. Members of the GBLA maintained that the two countries should revisit their decision of surface connectivity through Chitral and stick with their initial plan which was to route the road from Ishkoman (Ishhqamen) of Ghizar to Ishkashim of Tajikistan.

Recently the two countries have agreed to go with the Chitral- Ishkashim surface connectivity plan that they deem appropriate, feasible, safe and economical. On September 09, 2011 Dr. Arbab Alamgir, minister of Communications visited Tajikistan and met with the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Mr. Oqil Oqilov and the Foreign minister of Tajikistan, Mr. Hamrakhon Zarifi. During the visit the road connectivity remained the hot talk between the officials of the two countries. Along his Tajik counterpart, Mr. Arbab Alamgir also had an ariel view of the site in Ishkashim, a border area along with the Chitral-Tajikistan road is planned.

There is no doubt that the Chitral-Tajikistan road is much feasible than the Ghizar- Ishakashim road in terms of the two nation connectivity theory- Pakistan connecting Tajikistan through Chitral, KP. On the other hand the Ghizar-Tajikistan road has more trade and communication prospects in future. It will connect with China and, through Kargil, with India. But for now, it seems more of a personal myopic push of Arbab Alamgir, an MNA from Peshwar who also happens to be the Federal Minister of Communications. His wife, Asma Arbab Alamgir is an advisor to the Prime Minister on SAFRON (States and Frontiers Regions).

Thus far, the GBLA has passed several unanimous resolutions barely caring about enforceability or implementation. Critics say, like many other resolutions, this resolution will also be dumped somewhere. People in Gilgit-Baltistan feel their opinion being rejected time and again. The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has told that he will take the matter to the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

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