GILGIT: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said his government was committed to the progress and development of Gilgit Baltistan and would ensure provision of all resources to bring it at par with the developed areas of the country.
He was addressing an event after administering oath of office to six members of the Gilgit Baltistan Council, who are elected by the GB Legislative Assembly. The Prime Minister in his capacity as Chairman Gilgit Baltistan Council administered the oath.
The six new members who joined the 12-member Council included Syed Afzal, Sultan Ali Khan, Ashraf Sada, Syed Abbas Rizvi, Arman Shah and Wazir ikhlaq Hussain.
The Prime Minister announced Rs 200 million for Karakoram International University.
He termed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a “game-changer” and said it was moving ahead at a fast pace and not only envisages road, rail and communication networks, but would also provide power generation projects, generate employment and
strengthen bonds of the people across the country. He was optimist that loadshedding would end by year 2018.
Sharif said work on Dasu Dam was about to start, while an amount of Rs 70 billion has already been allocated for the Diamir Bhasha dam. He was appreciative that around Rs 12 billion has been saved from the project cost and appreciated the Chief Minister and local administration for their hard work and saving of the government funds.
Pakistan-China Optic Fibre Cable network: Addressing the ground breaking of the 820 km long Optic Fibre Cable linkage between Khunjrab and Rawalpindi, the Prime Minister also directed extending its linkages to other CPEC project areas.
The Prime Minister said the world has transformed over the years and now “Knowledge-based economy” was the buzzword. He urged the youth, particularly of Gilgit and Baltistan to get ready for the challenges ahead and strive for excellence.
The Prime Minister also announced setting up of a Technical Training Institute by the Special Communication Organization (SCO) and offered an initial grant of Rs 100m. PM administers oath to six members of GB Council.
