GB Chief Minister Takes Action on Kharmang Clash, Inspects Offices and Opens Secretariat for Public Access

**GILGIT, (Musab Khaliq)- Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain Azar has taken strict notice of the violent clash between Olding and Bajewat villages in District Kharmang over a disputed pasture area, while also taking measures to improve administrative discipline and strengthen public access to the government.

The Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the loss of three precious human lives in the clash that occurred on July 16 due to a long-standing boundary and grazing land dispute between the two villages. He expressed serious concern over the failure of the relevant authorities to resolve the issue in time and prevent it from turning into a violent confrontation.

Issuing clear directives, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar ordered immediate and impartial legal action against all individuals involved in the incident. He directed the authorities to ensure a transparent investigation, identify those responsible, and take strict action according to the law without any discrimination.

He also ordered effective security measures to maintain peace in the area, prevent any possible retaliatory violence, and restore normal life. The Chief Minister instructed officials to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured and take local communities and elders into confidence for maintaining harmony.

The administration has been directed to submit a detailed report to the Chief Minister’s Office regarding the causes of the incident, action taken against the responsible individuals, and measures being adopted to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Chief Minister made it clear that no person involved in taking the law into their own hands would be spared and maintaining peace and law and order in Gilgit-Baltistan remains the government’s top priority.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar conducted surprise visits to various government departments in Gilgit to review office discipline, employee attendance and the quality of services being provided to the public.

During the inspections, the Chief Minister personally checked attendance records of officers and employees and expressed strong displeasure over absenteeism and late arrivals in several departments. He ordered immediate disciplinary action against absent employees.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that every government employee drawing salary from the public exchequer is accountable to the people. He said negligence, inefficiency and carelessness in official duties would not be tolerated.

He directed heads of all departments to ensure regular monitoring of attendance through biometric systems and issue show-cause notices to employees absent from duty without valid reasons.

The Chief Minister emphasized that government offices should remain accessible to citizens and officials must ensure timely resolution of public complaints so that people do not face repeated difficulties.

In another public-oriented initiative, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar opened the doors of the Chief Minister Secretariat for general public access to bridge the gap between the government and citizens.

Following the decision, delegations and citizens from different districts, remote areas and various sections of society visited the Chief Minister Secretariat and presented their issues directly before him. The visitors included senior citizens, youth, traders and students, who highlighted matters related to infrastructure, education, healthcare and other public needs.

The Chief Minister listened to their concerns with attention and issued written instructions to the concerned departments for taking immediate steps toward resolving their issues.

He stated that the government is committed to public welfare and development and will continue utilizing all available resources for the betterment of the people.

Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar announced that public meetings at the Chief Minister Secretariat would continue regularly, enabling citizens from remote areas to directly approach their elected representative and seek solutions to their problems.

The citizens and delegations appreciated the initiative and termed it a positive step towards strengthening public-government relations in Gilgit-Baltistan.