ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday reiterated that the government was committed to development of the region and socio-economic empowerment and uplift of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In a meeting with the Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman at Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, Khaqan said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would create new economic opportunities for the people of the region.
The prime minister assured the chief minister that all proposed projects relating to Gilgit-Baltistan under the CPEC portfolio would be pursued for their early finalization and implementation. He said Dir-Chitral CPEC Link Road project was being accorded priority.
The Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir, the Deputy Chairman Planning Sartaj Aziz and senior government officials were present during the meeting.
The Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan briefed the prime minister about various development projects including some landmark projects under the CPEC portfolio.
Briefing the prime minister about power situation in Gilgit-Baltistan, the chief minister said the present government during past two years had added 54 megawatts to the existing 82 megawatts power which was being produced in the area for last 70 years.
The chief minister informed the prime minister that recovery situation of power dues has also witnessed significant improvement and stands around 80 percent recoveries at present. He said that work on establishment of regional power grid was underway.
Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman said the two proposed power projects of 180 MW capacity under CPEC project would be instrumental in meeting the energy requirements of the region.
The chief minister also briefed the prime minister about the efforts of Gilgit-Baltistan government to promote tourism in the region. He proposed that increased Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Gilgit would help promoting tourism in the region.
The Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister also apprised the prime minister about the progress on various landmark projects including establishment of a cancer hospital, medical college and cardiology centre for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
