Govt accords highest priority to completion of uplift projects in GB: Khusro Bakhtiar

ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar Monday said that
the government accords highest priority to timely completion of ongoing development projects in
Gilgit-Baltistan.
The minister was talking to Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, who called
on him here, said a press release issued on Monday.
He stated that PTI-led government is committed to bringing the region at par with other areas of
the country in terms of socio-economic development. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan and senior officials were also present in the meeting.
The minister said that Gilgit-Baltistan would gain maximum benefit from China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) adding that the game changer project would not only usher in prosperity in the region
but also lead to infrastructure development.
The minister told the Chief Minister about rationalization of Public Sector Development
Programme (PSDP) under which Rs. 15 billion would be given to Gilgit-Baltistan for its development schemes for the ongoing financial year.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan thanked the Federal Government for approving Gilgit-Skardu road project adding that its completion would reduce the distance from nine hours to two hours.
He requested the Federal Government to consider sharing the cost of a sewerage treatment
plant project in Gilgit, which stood at Rs. 4 billion as there was no proper sewerage system in the city.
The minister assured him of cooperation and directed the officials concerned to look into it the matter.