GILGIT: The federal government in consultation with the Gilgit-Baltistan government is planning to raise a force to ensure protection of travellers on the GB section of the Karakoram Highway.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed for setting up such a force after incidents of violence targeting passengers on the KKH.

Secretary Kashmir Affair and Gilgit-Baltistan Shahidullah Baig told Dawn on Tuesday that the federal ministry of Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan was planning to raise the force to protect travellers on the KKH.

He said that federal ministry of Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan had sought input in that regard from GB chief secretary Sultan Sikandar Raja, IGP Mohammad Saleem Bhatti and other relevant officials.

He said that a proposal for raising the force had been finalised and would be sent to the federal interior and finance ministries for further vetting. Then the summary would be forwarded to the prime minister for final approval, he added.

Mr Baig said that Rs3 billion were estimated to be spent on raising the force, adding that 1,500 personnel would be recruited in it equipped with modern weapons. He said that the personnel would be trained by Pak Army, who would be deployed at the highway from Pakistan-China border to Babusar in Diamer district.

Mr Baig said that the force would also provide security to the labourers working on the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor project. He said the force would also have helicopter facility to monitor security situation on the road.