PM Shehbaz assures Gilgit-Baltistan CM of federal support

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met newly appointed Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain and told him the federal government would work closely with his administration for the benefit of the region’s people, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The PMO said the prime minister congratulated Hussain on taking office and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to cooperation with the Gilgit-Baltistan government. The statement said he assured the chief minister that the federal government would continue to support efforts aimed at improving conditions for residents of the region.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the federal government was pursuing development work in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health, education and other areas to support Gilgit-Baltistan’s progress. Referring to priority schemes, he highlighted a 100-megawatt solar power project and the setting up of knowledge schools in the region.

According to the PMO statement, the prime minister said the federal government was also planning to establish a Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centre in Gilgit to make public services more accessible. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema.

Amjad Hussain, of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was elected unopposed as chief minister by the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on June 22. The PPP formed the government in Gilgit-Baltistan with the backing of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, reflecting the arrangement between the two parties at the federal level after elections held in early June.