GILGIT, May 14: Hundreds of affected teachers of National Education Foundation staged a sit-in outside the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on Monday demanding that they be absorbed in the education department.

The teachers were barred from entering the assembly premises to meet the chief minister. The protesting teachers included hundreds of females who had also brought their infants with them.

The leaders of the protesting teachers, however, were allowed to call on the Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah. The chief minister assured them that the GB government was keen to get them absorbed in the education department but funds’ shortage was hindering it. He said their case had been taken up with the federal government for early solution to the matter.

However, Education Minister Dr Ali Madad Sher made it clear that the federal government would have to settle the issue.

The leaders of the teachers lamented the attitude of the authorities concerned for not taking interest in spreading education. Police were deployed to avert any untoward incident during the protest.

PROMOTIONS: The services department of Gilgit-Baltistan has recommended more than 70 officers from various departments for promotion to next grade, official sources said.

“The departmental promotion committee has recommended promotion of 72 officers who are serving in health, education and forest departments,” a senior official of chief minister secretariat said on Monday.

CABINET MEETING: The Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet on Monday approved the code of conduct for mosques. The meeting also reviewed measures adopted to maintain peace in the region. The cabinet also discussed formation of Ulema Board as approved in previous meetings.

Later, briefing reporters the spokesperson of the government Education Minister Dr Ali Madad Sher said the code of conduct would be given legal cover after its passage from the assembly in shape of a Masajid Boards Act, and its implementation will ensure harmony, tranquility and tolerance in the society.

The minister said GB government had forwarded recommendations to the federal interior ministry for banning some sectarian outfits.