GILGIT, June 20 – Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said on Saturday afternoon that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Rs 50 billion would be spent on Gilgit-Chitral Expressway, which will be completed soon.
Speaking at a news conference here along with Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Khalid Khursheed, the Pakistani minister said the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government had also earmarked Rs 40.5 billion for other development projects in Gilgit Baltistan.
The minister said the Gilgit-Chitral Expressway would be completed at a cost of Rs 50 billion and this project had been included in the CPEC.
Asad Umar vowed to increase the federal allocation for the government’s GB development package up to Rs 50 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23.
“Nineteen mega projects have been included in the Federal PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme) under the integrated development plan for Gilgit Baltistan,” he said.
Asad Umar said that the incumbent government was working for the development of Gilgit-Baltistan on a priority basis.
About the Covid vaccination drive in GB, the federal minister said that the government has established six vaccination centres across the GB region.
Last month, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a five-year Rs 370 billion uplift package for the scenic region of Gilgit Baltistan.
The Prime Minister had announced that funds to the tune of Rs 370 billion would be spent in the region over the next five years.
For the upgrade and betterment of Internet service in Gilgit Baltistan, the Federal Minister said that a spectrum auction would be held in the next 2-3 months.
He said that incubation centers were being set up at a cost of Rs 500 million to enhance the business skills of the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Responding to a question on making Gilgit-Baltistan an interim constitutional province, the Federal Minister said that the entire national leadership agreed that Gilgit-Baltistan should have the constitutional rights.
Chief Minister GB Khalid Khursheed on this occasion said tenders for the approved projects of GB would soon be issued and work would be initiated.
