Gilgit (PR): In a statement released to the media on Friday, Fazal Elahi, the former President of the NATCO Workers Union, expressed deep concern about the miserable conditions confronting passengers traveling between Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Rawalpindi.
Fazal Ilahi has stated that the convoy system has further worsened the situation, causing passenger vehicles to come to a halt for hours at locations with minimal availability of essential services such as food, washrooms, and other basic facilities, etc., along the route.
He has pointed out that the vehicle convoy comes to a halt every 20 minutes, subjecting the passengers esp. the sick, elderly, disabled, and women to many vulnerabilities due to the absence of facilities such as toilets, etc.
According to Fazal Ilahi, the current situation on KKH is nothing short of a nightmare. The travel duration between Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad has now exceeded 24 hours with the convoy, whereas it used to take only 15 hours without it.
He has further stated that with the skyrocketing inflation and the ongoing tense situation in G-B, both transport operators and their employees were already in trouble. Now, because of this crisis, all transport operators are on the brink of financial ruin.
In his statement, Fazl Elahi has appealed to the religious leaders and political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan, urging them to show compassion and empathy toward their less fortunate fellow citizens. “You and your offspring are enjoying air travel, whereas the people and their children are enduring daily hardships.” Further said the statement.
He has implored the religious and political elite to immediately address travel problems confronting the people of Gilgit-Baltistan before the suffering of the underprivileged could ultimately unleash grave consequences.
Fazal Elahi has appealed to General Hafiz Asim Munir Sahib, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, and the Force Commander of Gilgit-Baltistan to abolish the mandatory passenger convoy system and the requirement for private security guards with passenger vehicles.
He has pointed out that a significant number of jawans of the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and Pakistan Rangers are already stationed at various locations on KKH as part of the security measures in connection with the construction of the Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Dams.
