- PM promises mega projects, including Diamer Basha Dam and Rs 40b Gilgit-Jaglot Road, for Gilgit Baltistan
Announcing a number of development schemes for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) during a public gathering on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that mega development projects, including Diamer Basha Dam will bring prosperity in the province.
The premier said that 175-kilometre long Gilgit-Jaglot Road will be constructed at a cost of Rs 40 billion while a tunnel is being constructed at Atta Abad Lake at a cost of Rs 27 billion. He said the tunnel will allow access to Khunjrab, adding that a road has been carpeted between Khunjrab to Rai Kot and will be expanded to Tha Kot and then Islamabad.
Moreover, PM Sharif said Diamer Basha Dam will be country’s biggest project which will “change GB’s destiny”. The project, costing Rs 1400 billion, will add 4,500 megawatts (MWs) of electricity to the national grid, while Bunji and Dasu dams will also be constructed.
Pakistan-China economic corridor project envisages construction of a road from Khunjrab to Gwadar, which will be complemented by a rail service, the premier said.
Besides announcing the construction of Baltistan University, Sharif declared that the GB youth will be given loans worth Rs 2 million to start their own small businesses while the province’s quota in laptop scheme will also be enhanced. On the occasion, he also distributed laptops amongst the university students.
The prime minister said that he has directed up-gradation of flights to Skardu and Gilgit while a committee has also been constituted on the constitutional status of GB.
Earlier, presiding over a meeting of Gilgit-Baltistan Council in Gilgit, PM Sharif said GB will be brought at par with developed parts of the country. He directed the concerned authorities to spend development funds in a transparent manner, establishing that corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
Stating GB’s forest on government’s priority list, Sharif said tourism will be promoted in GB and mineral resources will be exploited for the development of the area.
With reference to Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, the prime minister directed that special attention should be given for export of fruits and dry fruits. The government will provide funds for this purpose, he added.
On the occasion, the council thanked the premier for provision of Rs 45 billion subsidy on wheat to GB.
GB Governor 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 30 years. The meeting was also briefed on timber policy prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders.
The GB Council approved the budget of the council for 2014-15 while the meeting also passed Gilgit Baltistan Tahafuz-e-Pakistan Bill 2015.