National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Thursday said the government accords high priority to development
and progress of Gilgit Baltistan.
He was talking to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz
Hafeez-ur-Rehman who called on him here at the PM House.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while appreciating the
performance of the Chief Minister said the mandate given by the
people of Gilgit Baltistan to PML-N required that steps must be
taken on priority to improve the standard of living of the people.
He said the ongoing development projects were aimed at
generating economic activities in the area so as to reduce
unemployment and poverty.
The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister that the federal
government would extend all out support for the well-being and
uplift of the people of Gilgit Baltistan.
Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, while thanking the Prime Minister for
taking keen interest in the development of Gilgit Baltistan,
apprised the Prime Minister on the status of ongoing development
projects and welfare schemes in different parts of Gilgit Baltistan.
The Chief Minister also thanked the Prime Minister for taking
personal interest by issuing instructions to lift the stranded
foreigners and Pakistanis through C-130 from Gilgit.
He apprised the Prime Minister regarding the upcoming
elections of Gilgit Baltistan Council and discussed the names of the
proposed candidates with the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister stressed that all tickets should be given
with consensus and on merit.
He said the implementation status of the ongoing development
projects and schemes needed to be reviewed on regular basis.
He said the tremendous touristic potential of Gilgit Baltistan
for attracting foreign and local tourists should also be explored
and steps should be taken for provision of essential touristic
facilities besides providing comfort for the residents of Gilgit
Baltistan.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Chief Minister
would honor the expectations of the people of Gilgit Baltistan and
would work for bringing the area at par with rest of the country.
Special Assistant to PM Dr. Asif Kirmani was also present
during the meeting.