Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced the immediate provision of 100 megawatts of power and a Rs1 billion merit-based endowment fund for university students in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
During his daylong visit, Sharif expressed satisfaction with the completed Bubar Model Village during a special GB cabinet meeting he chaired. This project, which he previously inaugurated, offers housing to those impacted by the 2022 floods.
He directed the GB administration to develop educational institutions, playgrounds, power transmission, and other facilities in the Ghizer district.
In addition to the power supply, Sharif unveiled a Rs1 billion endowment fund for Baltistan University and Karakorum University students.
The Prime Minister also informed the GB cabinet that the federal government would establish Daanish Schools in the region, akin to those in Punjab, underscoring ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of the GB populace.
Reflecting on his tenure as Punjab’s chief minister, he mentioned a previous Rs1 billion contribution to improve GB’s education sector.
Sharif emphasized the importance of collaboration between provincial and federal governments for economic stability.
He shared positive national economic indicators with the meeting attendees, including the stock exchange surpassing the 92,000 mark, increased remittances, more tax return filers, and reduced inflation.
He praised the contributions of all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and GB to national development. He highlighted his administration’s targeted efforts to advance GB and merged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan districts.
Further, Sharif noted that the federal government was taking steps to boost tourism in GB, which has attracted investment interest from the Qatari government.
Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, members of the GB cabinet, and senior officers attended the meeting.
