Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier today announced the initiation of the construction of a high quality road from Skardu to Gilgit, at a cost of Rs 50 billion.
Sharif was addressing a gathering after witnessing the oath-taking ceremony of the fifth Governor of Gilgit Baltistan Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan here at the Chinar Bagh.
The prime minister assured full support of the federal government in uplift of the area. He said the Skardu-Gilgit road would eventually connect to the Expressway in Havelian and usher in an era of prosperity in one of the remotest parts of the country.
He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would cater to transit traffic from the Central Asian Republics, generate employment and economic activity.
Sharif said the road linkage would serve the most function of bringing the people of Pakistan closer, and their hearts would beat in unison.
The prime minister directed that a feasibility be made for expansion of the airport to cater to larger aircraft in all weather.
He said that his government was fully focused on power generation and said a 27 MW hydel would be constructed for Gilgit.
Sharif said that the government looks forward to generation of around 15,000 MW of electricity through Diamer Bhasha, Dasu and Bunji dams. (APP)
