Gilani announces Rs15 billion grant over the next five years for Gilgit-Baltistan.
ISLAMABAD, April 3: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday administered oath to the members of the first Gilgit Baltistan Council.
The prime minister said '' our endeavour has always been to treat the people of Gilgit Baltistan at par with other provinces and areas of the country,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the oath-taking ceremony held here at the PM House.
He said the government had also committed to inject an amount of Rs 15 billion in next five years for the rapid development of Gilgit Baltistan and to ensure its progress.
Prime Minister Gilani assured that development funds for Gilgit Baltistan would be released at the earliest. He said with the start of work on the Diamer Bhasha dam, hundreds and thousands of locals will get jobs and the project will usher in an era of development and prosperity in the region.
The prime minister said the establishment of the Gilgit Baltistan Council will serve as a bridge between the government of Pakistan and that of Gilgit Baltistan.
Prime minister said “It is now upto the members of the Council to ensure transparency, equity, justice, fairplay and efficiency,” he said.
The prime minister asked the newly elected members to give practical shape to the aspirations of their electorate who have wholeheartedly welcomed the Gilgit Baltistan Council and the Gilgit Baltistan assembly.
He said it can be done through untiring efforts and commitment to bring about a change for the better. He said the new representatives were in a better position to run the affairs of Gilgit Baltistan in a better manner.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Wattoo said the empowerment of Gilgit Baltistan was the outcome of vision of the leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party and paid tributes to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani for making it happen.
He hoped the Gilgit Baltistan Cabinet would be soon formed and its representatives will be able to serve their people in a befitting manner.
Prime Minister Gilani earlier administered oath to four members of the Council here at the PM house. Two members who could not reach Islamabad due to unavailability of flight will be administered oath later. Governor Dr Shama Khalid and Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah attended the ceremony.
Gilani also hosted a reception in honour of the Council members.
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