GILGIT, Jan 23: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Affairs Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat on Monday inspected a hydroelectric power project under construction at the Naltar village, 35 kilometres North of Gilgit.

Secretary Water and Power department Nasir Ali Shigiri briefed the federal minister about the project.

The federal minister, who is also Chief Executive of Northern Areas, was told Gilgit City’s power shortage problem would be resolved after the project’s completion.

He said that government was committed to the socio-economic uplift of the Northern areas and a large number of projects would soon be initiated to bring the area on a par with other developed areas of the country.

He said that a comprehensive plan would be started soon to generate more electricity by utilizing water potential of the area adding that experts from China were carrying out work in the area.

Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat also inaugurated a bridge constructed in the Nomai area and addressed a gathering of local villagers. — APP