SKARDU, March 21: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah on Thursday announced the status of district for Shigar sub-division.

Addressing a public meeting in Shigar, he said that giving status of district to Shigar was the longstanding demand of people of the area. He said that Shigar district had been formed and budget allocated according to its requirements.

He said that the administrative postings, including all heads of departments, would be made in the new district within a month.

Mr Shah said that the PPP government had fulfilled the demand of Shigar district keeping in view the needs of area people though the present elected representative of Shigar valley was from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

He said that all political parties should work for the development of the area.

On this occasion, provincial minister for planning Raja Azam Khan thanked the GB government for granting the status of district to Shigar sub-division.

Later, the chief minister laid foundation stone of a suspension bridge at Kiahong. The project would be completed in 2015.