GILGIT: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is scheduled to visit Gilgit on Friday to announce the much-awaited political reforms for GB people.

According to a press release issued by Gilgit deputy commissioner office here on Monday, the government has finalised foolproof security arrangements for the premier’s s visit to the region.

PM Abbasi would attend GB Legislative Assembly session and would also visit Naltar to inaugurate a power project.

“Gilgit city will be beautifully decorated with welcome banners displayed at roads and the city cleaned,” the release said, adding leaves of police and district administration officials had been cancelled on the day of the prime minister’s visit.

Sources said the PM during his speech in the GBLA would announce political reforms, empowering the legislative assembly to make legislations on the federal subjects.

He would announce giving representation to GB people in the NFC Award and other federal organisations as observers.

Meanwhile, the GBLA approved a unanimous resolution demanding of the federal government to appoint vice chancellor to the Baltistan University.

The resolution was tabled in the house by senior minister Mohammad Akbar Taban and member Imtiaz Haider.

Responding to a call attention notice, Chief Minister Hafizur Rehman informed the house that efforts were underway for payment of compensation to the flood-affected people.

The GBLA passed another four resolutions unanimously, calling for increase in flights to the region from Islamabad besides reducing air fare and declaring Skardu airport as the international airport; convening of the pre-budget session to discuss development projects; releasing fo the Annual Development Programme and Public Sector Development Programme funds to complete the ongoing projects well in time, and the fourth resolution demanded regularisation of the service of work charge employees in Ghanche district.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2018