GILGIT, April 15: The city is limping back to normality as a curfew imposed in Gilgit after sectarian clashes claimed at least 14 lives in the city and Chilas on April 3 was relaxed on Sunday for six hours.

City administration officials told Dawn that the situation was improving fast and people had started to resume their businesses.

The curfew remained relaxed from 12 noon to 6pm on Sunday and officials hinted at increasing the relaxation duration if peaceful conditions held.

Law-enforcement agencies kept patrolling the streets and markets to avert any untoward incident. A ban on assembly of more than two people remained in force.

“There will be no shortage of essential commodities because a number of trucks carrying foodstuffs have arrived in the city,” they said.

The officials said that magistrates had been directed to keep an eye on profiteers and punish the traders who were found overcharging the residents.

PIA flights and traffic on the Karakoram Highway remained suspended for the 12th consecutive day on Sunday, while cellphone signals are still not working in Gilgit.

The management of Karakoram International University is yet to announce new dates to hold the cancelled exams of matriculation.

Meanwhile, a grand jirga met in Chilas on Sunday and reviewed the situation.

Security along the Karakoram Highway has been enhanced.

Gilgit Deputy Commissioner Arqam Tariq said that Interior Minister Rehman Malik had cancelled his plan to visit the city because of bad weather.

Diamer SP Jamshed Khan and DSP Headquarters Muslim Khan are made officer on special duty and their successors have joined their duty in Chilas.