GILGIT, Feb 26: Unidentified motorcyclists on Saturday evening opened indiscriminate fire on a senior politician of Pakistan People's Party, Mir Nawaz Khan, injuring him critically. He was taken to hospital but expired there.

He was attacked near Rax Cinema, senior police officials said. Mir Nawaz was also a senior advocate of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Acting Superintendent of Police Bashir Ahmed told Dawn that Mir Nawaz was going to nearby market from his residence when motorcyclists showered him with bullets. He was taken to DHQ hospital but could not survive.

The slain PPP leader was a senior advocate and known as an advocate of peace and was widely respected for his balanced and unbiased personality.

The Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Speaker Legislative Assembly Wazir Baig, Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed, in separate statements condemned the killing of party leader and described it a cowardly act. They expressed deep sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul. COMPENSATION:

The Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah on Saturday distributed cheques worth Rs964,333 million among 214 families of Thore village of Diamer district as compensation for their land acquired to build staff colony for the workers of the Diamir-Bhasha Dam project.

The cheques were distributed at a ceremony held at Chilas rest house, which was also attended by the notables, civil officers and public representatives. The water and power development authority has acquired 1,200 Kanal of land in Thore village for constructing the staff colony.

While addressing the gathering the chief minister said that the dam would bring prosperity not only in this area but the entire country. He said the dam would provide job opportunities to the locals and would be milestone in uplift of the region.

The chief minister also announced Rs10,000 for the welfare of journalists and Rs50,000 each for boys scouts and the Peoples Students Federation.

The chief minister said the Diamer Forest Fund would be utilised for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people.