Gilgit (PR): The Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar arrived in Gilgit on Tuesday on a two-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Caretaker Prime Minister was received at Gilgit Airport by Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan, Chief Secretary G-B Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, and various high-ranking civil and military officials.
Upon his arrival at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Gilgit, a guard of honour was presented to the Caretaker Prime Minister. He paid tribute to the martyrs at Martyrs’ Memorial at the CM Secretariat, recited Fatiha and laid flowers.
The Caretaker Prime Minister met with Cabinet members, National Assembly representatives, as well as political and community leaders, including Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar also presided an important review session in connection with the ongoing development projects and law and order.
During this session, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan provided an overview of the development projects and the prevailing law and order situation in the region to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar.
Speaking on the occasion, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar directed the relevant authorities to timely identify elements causing turmoil in the region under the guise of religion. He advised the G-B government to take strict action against those playing with peace in G-B. The prime minister emphasized that safeguarding all Pakistani citizens is a duty entrusted to the state.
He further said Gilgit-Baltistan is an important part of Pakistan, both in terms of its strategic geographic location and its role in national defence. No body will be allowed to use this picturesque region as a sanctuary for negative activities, and the state will uphold its writ at any cost. Those creating hurdles in the path of peace and development will be dealt with iron hands.
The Caretaker PM pledged the federal government will provide all the necessary resources and facilities to the G-B government for the establishment of sustainable peace, order and the development of the region.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan demanded special cooperation from the federal government to increase development budget, wheat subsidy, and promotion of both domestic and foreign investment in the field of tourism, energy, and minerals to improve the economic condition of the region.
The Caretaker PM pledged all possible support to the Chief Minister G-B in addressing the region’s financial shortfall. He also committed to allocating 4.25 billion rupees to address the shortage of funds in terms of wheat subsidy.
The PM emphasized the importance of boosting the tourism sector for the economic development of Gilgit-Baltistan. He underscored the importance of world-class facilities to tourists and expressed the intention to explore the possibility of constructing an International Airport in Gilgit. He directed the relevant department to initiate the preparation of a feasibility report for this project.
Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani also briefed the caretaker Prime Minister on various other matters. During the briefing, the Chief Secretary informed the Prime Minister about the progress in IT, health, education, and other sectors.
During the briefing, the Caretaker PM was apprised of important developments in the education sector across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, with a particular focus on Diamer and Astore. He was informed that several challenges have been successfully identified and resolved, including the reconstruction and revitalization of deteriorating infrastructure, the provision of professional development for teachers, and the establishment of technologically advanced smart schools.
During the briefing, the PM was informed about the establishment of a 24-hour helpline aimed at addressing the growing prevalence of mental health disorders in the region.
He was also informed about the steps taken regarding environmental conservation and tourism development. Additionally, the briefing covered details about the subsidy provided for wheat cultivation and production in Gilgit-Baltistan, the region’s hydropower generation capacity, as well as its present production levels and budgetary status.
The meeting was attended by Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Caretaker Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan, Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, IG Gilgit-Baltistan and relevant senior officers.
