ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said the government accords high priority to development and progress of Gilgit Baltistan.
He was talking to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman who called on him here at the PM House.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while appreciating the performance of the Chief Minister said the mandate given by the people of Gilgit Baltistan to PML-N required that steps must be taken on priority to improve the standard of living of the people.
He said the ongoing development projects were aimed at generating economic activities in the area so as to reduce unemployment and poverty.
The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister that the federal government would extend all out support for the well-being and uplift of the people of Gilgit Baltistan.
Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, while thanking the Prime Minister for taking keen interest in the development of Gilgit Baltistan, apprised the Prime Minister on the status of ongoing development projects and welfare schemes in different parts of Gilgit Baltistan.
The Chief Minister also thanked the Prime Minister for taking personal interest by issuing instructions to lift the stranded foreigners and Pakistanis through C-130 from Gilgit.
He apprised the Prime Minister regarding the upcoming elections of Gilgit Baltistan Council and discussed the names of the proposed candidates with the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister stressed that all tickets should be given with consensus and on merit.
He said the implementation status of the ongoing development projects and schemes needed to be reviewed on regular basis.
He said the tremendous touristic potential of Gilgit Baltistan for attracting foreign and local tourists should also be explored and steps should be taken for provision of essential touristic facilities besides providing comfort for the residents of Gilgit Baltistan.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Chief Minister would honor the expectations of the people of Gilgit Baltistan and would work for bringing the area at par with rest of the country.
Special Assistant to PM Dr. Asif Kirmani was also present during the meeting.
Source: APP
