PM Gilani urges for socioeconomic uplift of Gilgit-Baltistan

In order to boost up the country’s economy, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday underscored the need for chalking out new policies and strategies for the socioeconomic support of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

While chairing the third session of Gilgit-Baltistan Council, the premier said both the council and the government should work jointly in the region of mineral development‚ tourism‚ forest‚ and power sector.

The capitalization on the untapped resources of area will not only help in improving the situation of Gilgit-Baltistan but will help the entire country.

He observed, “Now I believe, settlement on these subjects has taken place whereby new structures are being proposed for management which would clearly demarcate the areas of respective jurisdiction between the Council and the Government”.

The Prime Minister while commenting on the ongoing developmental projects in the areas said Diamer Basha dam will not only help out in meeting power crises but also create thousands of job opportunities and help alleviate floods.

He urged both the council and the Gilgit-Baltistan government to work collectively on the issues relating to the recompense of land acquired for the construction of dam.

“I am also mindful of the wheat subsidy which we would like to keep supporting by making it realistic on account of increasing inflation and transportation charges; we will definitely regulate the wheat subsidy for the benefit of the people”, the premier asserted.

He applauded the work of the special committee constituted for the infliction of income tax‚ saying it has made out its report and income tax is being introduced in the region to meet its growth requirements.

Gilani informed the council members certain subjects such as Tourism‚ Electricity‚ Forest‚ and Mineral development fall under the legislative list of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council‚ yet Gilgit-Baltistan Rules of Business‚ 2009 provide for their temporary administration by the Gilgit-Baltistan Government.

In his view, it needs mutual efforts and implementation of these subjects by the Gilgit-Baltistan Government and the Council.

The premier was assured that agreement on these subjects has taken place whereas new structures are being intended for management.

This would clearly define the areas of respective legal power between the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Council.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 21 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.