Our Correspondent
Gilgit
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Ishaq Dar’s interview to the BBC on Monday was full of lies and that the former minister looked visibly stressed during the grilling from the interviewer.
Addressing the oath taking ceremony of newly-elected Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet, the Prime Minister said that he has known Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari for the last 40 years. Allah punished both of them and now they are running off to London and Dubai to save their ill-gotten wealth. They are holding rallies to save their loot despite the resurging pandemic.
PM expressed hope that new government of Gilgit-Baltistan will establish fresh standards of governance in the province by adopting effective strategies.
The premier pledged to immediately form committee to make Gilgit-Baltistan a separate province. The team will follow timeline and present report as early as possible, he told.
Unveiling his plan for development and welfare of the people of GB, Imran Khan said the present government’s Ehsaas Programme, which is the largest poverty alleviation program of Pakistan history, will be introduced in GB as well.
He said all the people of GB will be provided health insurance with the issuance of Sehat Insaaf Cards under which they can get free medical facility at any hospital up to one million rupees. He said the under-construction 250-bed hospital in Gilgit will be completed.
The PM expressed commitment to turn Gilgit Baltistan into a hub of tourism. He said easy loans will be provided to people to help them construct rooms at their residences for tourists.
He said 300 MW hydro electricity will be generated, which will be more than sufficient for the region. He said two hydro electricity power stations are being constructed; two others are in the pipeline while two more have been approved. Besides, he said, micro hydro power stations will also be set up.
The prime minister said Special Economic Zone will also be constructed in GB where industries will relocate.
Elaborating the PTI’s vision, Imran Khan said he is focused to uplift the living standard of the downtrodden segment of the society. He said development of the backward areas, including GB, merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan is a priority of his government.
