SKARDU, Aug 5: Chief Secretary Northern Areas Imtiaz Hussain Qazi has directed the concerned authorities to speed up the process of development in Skardu and Ghangche districts of Baltistan so as to provide better facilities to the people of this far-flung area.

The chief secretary issued these directives after a visit to Skardu and Ghangche here on Friday. Talking to newsmen, he said the government was taking keen interest in the socio-economic development of the Northern Areas in order to bring them on a par with other developed parts of the country.

He said paving of roads in Khaplu and construction of a city park and a sports stadium in the area would be finished soon.

Qazi said two diesel generators would be installed in Skardu by year-end. He also inspected under-construction sports stadium and asked authorities to complete the project within the given timeframe.—APP