By-poll in GB constituency postponed

GILGIT, March 28: The Supreme Appellate Court on Monday constituted a committee headed by chief secretary Gilgit-Baltistan to fix a new and viable date for by-elections in GB-19 constituency, which were to be held on March 30, court officials said. The three member bench headed by Chief Judge Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi asked the four contesting candidates, chief secretary, chief election commissioner, deputy commissioner Ghizer and the returning officer to meet and settle the new date with mutual consensus in a week's time. Earlier, the Election Commission had fixed March 30 for the by-polls, but the government had approached the Supreme Appellate Court requesting it to postpone the elections citing administrative reasons. COMPENSATION: The Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah on Monday gave away compensation money of Rs3 million among three martyred police officials. In a ceremony held in Chinar Bagh Gilgit the chief minister distributed the cheques among the legal heirs of the police officials, and paid rich tributes to the services rendered by them. The chief minister also handed over appointment letters among 12 foot constables whose fathers had passed away during service. The chief minister said those who would perform better would be awarded and poor performers would be punished. He urged the police department to play effective role in maintaining law and order situation in the region. He warned that the government would not tolerate inefficiency in the performance of the department.