——— Decides 100MW power supply for GB, Rs1bn endowment fund
——— Chairs special meeting of Gilgit Baltistan Cabinet
——— Says federal govt to establish Daanish schools in GB
——— Instructs establishment of educational institutes
——— Inaugurates model village for flood-hit GB residents
GILGIT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced the immediate power supply of 100 megawatts for Gilgit Baltistan and a Rs1 billion endowment fund for the universities students.
The prime minister made this announcement as he chaired the special meeting of the GB cabinet dur-ing his daylong visit to Gilgit today.
During the meeting, the prime minister also announced Rs1 billion merit-based endowment fund for the students of Baltistan University and Karakorum University.
PM Shehbaz also told the GB cabinet members that the federal government would establish Daanish Schools in the region, on the pattern of Punjab province.
Furthermore, the premier instructed the GB administration to establish educational institutions, play-grounds, power transmission and other facilities in Ghizer district.
He recalled that while being Punjab chief minister, his government had given a Rs1 billion gift to uplift GB’s education sector.
The prime minister, during the meeting, expressed satisfaction and pleasure over the timely comple-tion of Bubar Model Village, which he earlier inaugurated, to provide housing facility to the people af-fected by flood in 2022.
Stressing that the government is actively working for the uplift and welfare of the GB people, PM Shehbaz said that the provincial governments’ cooperation with the federal government for the eco-nomic stability was significant.
He lauded the role of all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and GB in the national development and highlighted his government’s special focus on the uplift of GB, merged districts of Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa and Balochistan.
PM Shehbaz said that the federal government was taking measures to promote tourism in GB as Qata-ri government had also expressed interest to invest in tourism there.
Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, members of the GB cabinet and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated a model village in Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan to provide housing for those affected by the devastating floods of 2022.
The project aims to offer a permanent and sustainable solution to the people of Bubar village, who had lost their homes during the disaster.
The model village has been built over 110 kanal of land and comprises homes that feature two bed-rooms, solar power, water supply, and road connectivity. During the event, the Prime Minister distrib-uted allotment certificates to several entitled residents, marking a significant milestone in the rehabili-tation process.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the housing project’s progress but stressed the im-portance of third-party validation to address any potential shortcomings.
He also directed the authorities to immediately begin construction of additional essential infrastruc-ture, including a school, a dispensary, and a playground for the village.
He highlighted that the dispensary should be equipped with first aid facilities, ultrasound, X-ray, and maternity care services to meet the community’s healthcare needs.
In his address, PM Shehbaz Sharif also urged for the installation of chimneys in all the newly construct-ed homes to protect residents from potential health hazards, particularly during the winter months.
Wearing a traditional Gilgit cap (Pakul) and robe, the Prime Minister instructed the Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui to personally oversee the construction of the school.
He also recalled his previous visit to the area in August 2022, which had witnessed complete devasta-tion caused by the floods. He spoke about Qandeel, a teenage girl from Bubar village, and her father, who were among the only survivors of their family.
The Prime Minister had announced a Rs5 million endowment fund for Qandeel, which has since in-creased to Rs6.7 million to help support her education and future.
The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and the local administration for their oversight and support in rebuilding the village.
He also unveiled a plaque for the upcoming 216-kilometer Gilgit-Shandur Road project, which is set to be completed by November 2025. Once finished, the road will significantly reduce the travel time be-tween Gilgit and Shandur from eight hours to just three hours, further boosting connectivity in the region.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan thanked the Prime Minister for his continued support in the region, particularly following the floods. He said the newly built model village is equipped with all the basic amenities, including proper connectivity, which will help uplift the lives of the affected resi-dents.
A community member from the village also expressed his gratitude towards the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, former Chief Minister Hafeez Hafeez-ur-Rehman, and the district administration for their combined efforts in rebuilding the village and rehabilitating flood-affected families.
Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Attaullah Tarar, and Amir Muqam accompa-nied the Prime Minister during the visit. –Agencies
