PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates people on Gilgit-Baltistan’s 79th National Day

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of the region on the 79th anniversary of Gilgit-Baltistan’s National Day.

He said 1 November 1947 is a bright and unforgettable day in the history of Gilgit-Baltistan, when Dogra rule ended and the region acceded to Pakistan.

He paid tribute to the leaders, mujahideen, ghazis and martyrs who took part in the struggle for freedom.

The prime minister said the region’s leaders and its brave people showed extraordinary resolve, courage and sacrifice in the liberation of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the deep attachment of the people of the area to Pakistan, generation after generation, is a matter of national pride.

He said Gilgit-Baltistan holds a distinguished place on Pakistan’s national landscape because of its geographical importance. He said there is wide scope for economic growth and prosperity in the region, particularly in the context of regional trade and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The federal government is committed to the development of Gilgit-Baltistan, the prosperity of its people and a bright future for its youth. With this aim, a number of steps have been taken in various sectors, including energy, Education, Health, employment and public safety.

Energy projects

According to the prime minister, the 16-megawatt Nalter hydropower project in Gilgit-Baltistan has been completed. He said it is an important step towards solving the area’s energy problems. A 100-megawatt solar energy project has been launched to provide cheap and accessible electricity to the people.

A transparent digital draw was used to distribute solar panels with a total capacity of 58 megawatts free of charge. Under it, about 100,000 solar panels have so far been provided free of cost.

Education, investment and Law and Order

In the Education sector, the foundation stones of four Danish Schools have been laid at Sultanabad, Bunji, Ghanche and Skardu. They will cost Rs12.46 billion in total. These institutions will provide talented children from low-income families with quality, modern education and the best residential facilities.

Under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, 4,245 laptops have so far been distributed among the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan. Students of the region have also been included in the Chromebook distribution programme, like students in other parts of the country.

To increase investment and job opportunities, approval has been given to declare Maqpoon Das a special economic zone. Spread over 250 acres, the zone is expected to create about 5,000 jobs through the establishment of 155 industrial and business units.

To protect the lives and property of the people and improve the Law and Order situation, the second phase of the Gilgit-Baltistan Safe City project has been inaugurated. The Safe City project is also being launched in Skardu.

The federal government is committed to giving full support to the Gilgit-Baltistan provincial government in overcoming its economic difficulties and in carrying out institutional and administrative reforms. This is meant to further improve public facilities and development activities there.

The prime minister said that on this historic day, we should pay tribute to the sacrifices of our forefathers and renew our resolve that joint efforts will continue to provide quality and uniform Education, Health facilities and new job opportunities across the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan. He stressed working together for the shared national goal of the development and prosperity of Gilgit-Baltistan.