Work pace

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - Gilgit—Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah has instructed the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to accelerate pace of work on releasing of water from Attabad lake. Talking to reporters in Hunza late Monday the Chief Minister shed light on the firmed commitment of a newly born provincial government with minimum resources. It was really a biggest challenge for the government which had took power just two months before that catastrophe,” he said, adding, but with the grace of Allah Almighty the government got over the challenge and helped the community. He said work on road for heavy trucks from Karakuram Highway to spillway of the lake was in full swing and would complete before or mid of August. He said after completion of this road the traders would have easy access to the lake and transportation of goods would be streamlined. He took an aerial view of the lake, affected part, and later FWO briefed him on the work progress. The Chief Minister instructed the Water and Power Department to provide uninterrupted electricity during the coming 10 days so that followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan could celebrate anniversary in a befitting manner. It was earlier reported that the federal government has allocated nearly Rs5 billion for the realignment of Karakoram Highway (KKH) and widening of Attabad Lake spillway under the Public Sector Development Programme 2012-13. Of the total amount, Rs3.294 billion have been earmarked for the widening and rehabilitation of a 335-kilometre portion of KKH from Raikot to Khunjerab. In addition to that, Rs1.6 billion have been kept for the realignment of the highway’s portion which was submerged under water during the Attabad landslide in 2010.