Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Assures Support for Gilgit-Baltistan’s Development Demands

Islamabad (NNP) Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan had an important and long meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House. He thanked the Prime Minister for the establishment of Danish Schools in the three divisions of Gilgit-Baltistan. In the meeting, the important issues of Gilgit-Baltistan were discussed in detail. Demanded representation in the Houses, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan demanded from the Prime Minister of Pakistan that water user charges including the net hydel profit (realty) of Diamer Bhasha Dam should be given to Gilgit-Baltistan, in the Federal Finance Commission to Gilgit-Baltistan. Contribution should be made and implementation of four new districts in Gilgit-Baltistan namely Dariel Tangir, Yasin Gops and Rondo has been announced earlier, while construction and development projects for Gilgit-Baltistan should be approved in Federal PSDP. In Gilgit-Baltistan, there are immense opportunities for tourism, which requires the cooperation of the federal government. And the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan also invited the Prime Minister of Pakistan to visit Gilgit-Baltistan. Oh D. Asad Cheema summoned Federal Minister for Law Nazir Tarar, Federal Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal, Secretary Water Resources Ali Murtaza and Chairman NHA on the issues of Gilgit-Baltistan. He assured to solve all the demands of Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan and especially the share of Gilgit-Baltistan in National Finance Commission, net hydel profit (realty) of Diamar Bhasha Dam and stabilization of tourism sector and water user charges. The Prime Minister approved the formation of a committee on the financial autonomy of Gilgit-Baltistan and the committee will soon submit a report on all these issues. Until then, the committee will have another Prime Minister’s review meeting and review the progress on all points, the Prime Minister directed to prepare and submit an action plan regarding the development of tourism and solar energy projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his special love for Gilgit-Baltistan and said that the government of Gilgit-Baltistan should continue to serve the people in a full manner and the federal government is ready to cooperate at every step.