ASTORE (Gilgit), Oct 13: Executive Engineer Mohammad Shafiq has said that the federal government is taking keen interest in the development of Astore district and has launched various projects to bring this region at par with developed areas of the country.

He said Rs976 million had been earmarked which was being spent on 112 development schemes, including irrigation, telecommunication, education, health, tourism and other new and ongoing projects launched under the presidential package.

He said the pace of work on all the projects were being strictly monitored, adding that no negligence would be tolerated in execution of the projects.

Mr Shafiq said various projects had been launched by the government to bring progress and prosperity in the area. He added: “We got record budget for development projects this year”. He said special attention was being paid on different projects of roads construction and irrigation.

He said out of the amount set for development projects Rs168 million would be spent on the housing sector, Rs240 million on the education sector, Rs0.86 million on the health sector and Rs0.25m on tourism, while Rs0.15m would be spent under the presidential package.—APP

He expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on all development projects.—APP