175 KM Gilgit-Jaglot road to be constructed at a cost of Rs 40 billion
GILGIT BALTISTAN: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that mega development projects including Diamer Basha dam will be launched in Gilgit Baltistan in order to bring prosperity in the lives of the people of the area.
Addressing a public gathering in Gilgit on Tuesday, he announced a number of schemes for Gilgit Baltistan. He said one hundred and seventy five kilometers Gilgit-Jaglot road will be constructed at a cost of forty billion rupees. A tunnel is being constructed at Atta Abad lake at a cost of twenty seven billion rupees which will ensure access to Khunjrab.
He said that a road has been carpeted between Khunjrab to Rai Kot which will be expanded to Tha Kot and then Islamabad.
He said the Diamer Basha Dam will be country’s biggest project which will change the destiny of Gilgit Baltistan. This project costing 1400 billion rupees will add 4500 megawatt of electricity to the national grid. Besides, work will also be started on Bunji and Dasu Dams.
He said Pakistan-China economic corridor project envisages construction of road from Khunjrab to Gwadar besides rail service will also be started.
Nawaz Sharif announced that youth of the area will be given loans worth two million rupees to start their own small businesses.
The Prime Minister said quota of Gilgit Baltistan in laptop scheme will also be enhanced. He said he has also directed to enhance flights to Skardu and Gilgit. He also announced construction of Baltistan University in the area.
The Prime Minister said he has also constituted a committee on the constitutional status of Gilgit Baltistan.
On the occasion, Nawaz Sharif also distributed lap tops amongst the University Students.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says Gilgit-Baltistan will be brought at par with developed parts of the country.
He was presiding over a meeting of Gilgit-Baltistan Council in Gilgit on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to spend development funds in transparent manners. He said corruption will not be tolerated in any circumstance.
Nawaz Sharif said tourism will be promoted in Gilgit-Baltistan and mineral resources will be exploited for the development of the area.
He said it is priority of the Government to conserve and promote forests. He said Pakistan-China Economic Corridor will greatly benefit Gilgit Baltistan.
He directed that special attention should be given for export of fruits and dry fruits.
He said the Government will provide funds for this purpose.
The Council expressed thanks for provision of forty-five billion rupees subsidy on wheat to Gilgit Baltistan.
Governor Gilgit Baltistan Chaudhry Barjees Tahir gave briefing on development projects.
He said a special force is being established for the security of Shahra-e-Karakoram. He said that a policy for protection of forests has been formulated for thirty years.
The meeting was also briefed on Timber Policy prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders. The Prime Minister had last year directed for preparation of Timber Policy.
The Gilgit Baltistan Council approved the budget of the council for 2014-15.
The meeting also passed Gilgit Baltistan Tahafuz-e-Pakistan Bill 2015.
INP