‘Govt takes steps for uplift of GB’

GILGIT: Minister for Works Gilgit Baltistan Dr Muhammad Iqbal on Friday said that government was pursuing a comprehensive development plan for socio-economic uplift of the region.

Talking to journalists on the occasion of inauguration ceremony of Park-Link Road, the minister said the Gilgit Baltistan did not progress over the last 70 years as it witnessed a number of development initiatives during the tenure of the present government.

He said the past governments paid no heed to the development of Gilgit Baltistan, but the PML-N government was giving priority to the development of the area, launching several projects. He said GB government was focusing on improvement of roads infrastructure and funds were enhanced to Rs300 for uplift of this sector.

He directed the works department to speed up work on the on-going development projects including the Park-link road and complete it within scheduled timeframe. He said last year Rs150 million were allocated for this project, but the cost was revised to Rs300 million due to poor sewerage system.

He said gone were the days when people would hesitate to visit Gilgit Baltistan for being poor law and order situation there. Now he added durable peace had been restored and issues stood resolved for tourists.