June 10, 2005	Friday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, June 9: The federal government has earmarked Rs6.27 billion for development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan under the Public Sector Development Programme 2005-06, showing an increase of about Rs2 billion over last year’s allocation. According to the budget presented on Monday, over Rs2.67 billion has been allocated for federal ministries and divisions, including Rs203.46 million combined allocation for various projects to be implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and NWFP.

A sum of Rs9 million has been allocated to the Northern Areas division for implementation of the Khunjerab National Park management plan. The estimated cost of the project is 47.50 million.

Tourism which is the mainstay of region’s economy is, however, neglected. No allocation has been made for the development of the sector.

The following projects would be executed by federal ministries and division in Northern Areas.

WATER AND POWER: In the water and power sector, a hefty amount of Rs1 billion has been earmarked for the Rs2.09-billion-multipurpose Satpra dam project.

An amount of Rs200 million has been allocated for Bhasha/Diamer dam. The total cost of the project is Rs900 million, including Rs96.6 million foreign loans.

For the Bunji Hydro Power project an allocation of Rs20 million has been made in the PSDP. The project will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs193 million, including Rs88.3 million foreign loan.

HEALTH: An amount of Rs70 million has been made for the Rs549.2-million Gilgit Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine being executed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, as compared to Rs150 million allocated last year.

NATURAL RESOURCES: For natural resources sector, an amount of Rs11.250 million has been earmarked for providing training to private sector in gemstone mining, processing and evaluation on scientific lines. The total cost of the project is Rs25.3 million.

COMMUNICATIONS: A sum of Rs80 million has been made for construction of five bridges on the Gilgit-Skardu Road against an allocation of Rs10 million made last year.

A sum of Rs1 million has been earmarked for the Jalkhad-Chilas road. The total cost of the project is Rs1.83 billion.

EDUCATION: In education sector, Rs100 million has been earmarked for the Karakoram International University (KIU) as compared to Rs150 million allocated last year.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs400.8 million.

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