SKARDU, July 26: The government was taking keen interest in the socio-economic development of the Northern Areas and had launched various projects in the areas in this regard, Northern Areas Chief Secretary Sheikh Ghazanfar Hussain said on Thursday.

He was talking to delegations of Ulema, public representatives, newsmen and lawyers who called upon him during his visit to Baltistan.

The chief secretary also inaugurated the greater water supply scheme. He said that with the completion of the project, the people would be provided clean drinking water and the of the city and its suburbs would be met for the next several years.

Northern Areas Public Wors Department’s Superintending Engineer Nasir Hussain Shigri said the project was launched in 1998 with an estimated cost of over Rs130 million, of which Rs120 million had been spent so far. He added the project would be completed by 2004.

He said the city’s population would be 250,000 by 2038.He said the scheme has a capacity to stock one million gallons and has two big reservoirs, water treatment plant and a durable distribution system. Mr Hussain urged the Ulema to maintain sectarian harmony.

The Ulema urged him to ban provocative propaganda and enforce the rules strictly to maintain law and order.

Mr Hussain pledged provision of education and health facilities to the people and directed the officials to improve their performance and work for the welfare of the masses.

During a visit to a camp, he assured the families of Kharmang valley affected by shelling across the Line of Control of all out help in their rehabilitation.