GILGIT: Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said on Saturday that the federal government has earmarked Rs40.5 billion for development projects in Gilgit Baltistan under its Public Sector Development Programme for the fiscal year 2021-22.
Addressing a press conference along with Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khursheed and the provincial ministers, Asad Umar said the total worth of the GB development package is Rs55 billion.
He also vowed to increase the federal allocation for GB development package up to Rs50 billion in the fiscal year 2022-24.
The minister said the Gilgit-Shandur Expressway would be completed at a cost of Rs50 billion and this project would be included in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said the GB is an important region and the government can earn huge revenue by giving proper focus on it.
Asad Umar pointed out that the vaccination process in GB is given priority by establishing six vaccination centers so that the tourism sector could not be affected.
He said under the mega development package, funds for the ongoing development projects in GB have also been set aside to ensure their timely completion.
Chief Minister GB Khalid Khursheed said tenders for the approved projects of GB would soon be issued and work on the projects would be initiated thereafter.
