PM addresses GBLA; says govt to extend every support for socio- economic development of area

GILGIT, May 21 (APP) - Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the federal government will extend an all out support for increased socio-economic development of Gilgit-Baltistan.Gilani, who was on a day-long visit to Gilgit and Hunza to assess the situation caused by the land-sliding at Attabad and the blockage of the Hunza river, was addressing the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA).

The prime minister said an amount of Rs 100,000 each will be given as compensation for the damaged homes in the villages affected by land-sliding at Attabad, adding, more financial aid will be given for Hunza affectees after damage assessment. He said the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government was committed to development of GB and assured members of GBLA that the process of disbursement of Rs. 15 billion package already announced by the federal government for Gilgit-Baltistan will be expedited.The prime minister said the federal government has also allocated Rs. 5-billion for the government of Gilgit-Baltistan.

He announced the opening of the office of National Highways Authority (NHA) in Gilgit and said work on the improvement and expansion of Gilgit-Skardu road would be completed as early as possible.

The prime minister also announced the opening of NADRA and passport offices in Diamar, adding, the people affected by the land acquired for Diamar-Bhasha dam would be compensated.

Prime Minister Gilani said Gilgit-Baltistan has plenty of natural resources, which need to explored and exploited for the socio-economic development of area.

He hoped that the democratic government of Gilgit-Baltistan would focus on good governance, with all institutions including the executive, legislature and judiciary working within their constitutional parameters.

The prime minister said PPP being a federal party has always been striving for the due rights of people across the country, which was also evident from the fact that it gave autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said by giving autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan the PPP led government has taken forward the vision and mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.

Gilani said as socio-economic and political empowerment of women across the country was included in the PPP manifesto, the federal government appointed a woman Governor - Dr. Shama Khalid - in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The prime minister on this occasion also took oath from two new members of GBLA, Amjad Hussain Advocate and Ghulam Hussain Saleem.

The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and senior officials.