GILGIT, Nov 26 An advisory committee of parliamentarians was formed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minster Syed Mehdi Shah here on Friday to maintain peace in the region particularly during Muharram.

Talking to reporters the chief minister disclosed that the committee comprised eight members of the Legislative Assembly who belonged to Gilgit city and adjacent areas enjoying influence in the community.

Mehdi Shah said the committee would be responsible for the law and order situation in the area and would meet regularly in consultation with the community members to evolve effective strategies for establishment of peace. He said that two police checkposts were being set up at entry and exit points of the region to nab anti-social elements.

The meeting, which was also attended by Chief Secretary Saifullah Chatta and Home Secretary Asif Bilal Lodhi, decided that people would be contacted to address their grievances. In response to a question he said that a police team had been formed to conduct interrogation into the attack on PML-N leader Salamat Jan, adding, the culprits would be punished.

He said he had ordered swift completion of an inquiry into charges of corruption against officials of the public works department. Mr Shah made it clear that Rs300,000 he gave to author of a book, was given from his pocket and not from the exchequer.

ROAD MISHAP Two workers of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme were killed when the jeep they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into deep ravine in Astore on Friday, police said.

Officials of Astore police station told Dawn by phone that coordinator of the programme Shahid and driver Hassan died on the spot while Imran, another employee, received multiple injuries.

GIRLS DROWN Two girls were drowned in Gilgit River on Thursday night in Minawar village some 20km east of Gilgit, while fetching drinking water from the river, police said.

The girls, aged 8 and 10, belong to Soniwal community which usually settles along the river as their main source of livelihood is washing river sand for gold.

Police found body of one of the girls but could not recover the second girl despite hectic search.