September 20, 2006	Wednesday	Sha'aban 26, 1427

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GILGIT, Sept 19: Following the amicable resolution of a dispute over the new district headquarters of Astore, the government has approved 14 development projects including modern dispensaries, a 50-bed hospital, basic health units, which are being funded by the federal government to meet health requirements of the districts.

Official sources said they had approved the projects only after they were identified by the members of Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) and included in Annual Development Programme.

The Chief Executive of the NALC Iqbal Khan gave approval to the projects during a recent visit, they said. He said the present 10-beded civil hospital was being upgraded to 30-bed hospital at a cost of Rs 20 million while a 50-bed hospital was being constructed in Gorikote at a cost of Rs 50 million.

Likewise, Parishing Basic Health Unit is being upgraded to 10-bed hospital. Besides, basic health units would be set up at the remote villages of Terishing and Pakora at the foothills of Nanga Parbat. Another BHU will be constructed at Dashkin village whereas two dispensaries were being upgraded.

A project to provide accommodation facilities have been approved. The special communication organisation had already undertaken to extend optic fibre loop to Astore from Karakoram Highway to improve communication system.