SKARDU New machine-readable passport office started functioning in Skardu, Baltistan region of Gilgit-Baltistan. Senior Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Muhammad Jafar inaugurated passport office in a simple function attended by large number of people including Commissioner Baltistan Division Dr Sajid Muhammad Chuhan, Deputy Commissioner Skardu Muhammad Ali Yougooni, President PPP Skardu district Muhammad Yousaf Numberdar and General Secretary Abdullah Hadari. Now the people of Skardu and Ghangche would benefit by this passport office because passport issuing authorities of the deputy commissioner were withdrawn in December 2008 and people were facing great problems because they had to go to Gilgit, some 250 kilometres from Skardu for the purpose. People have thanked the Interior Minister and government of Gilgit-Baltistan for this facility.