GILGIT: Members from both the government and the opposition in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on Wednesday expressed concern over delay in execution of cardiac hospital and Gilgit-Naltar expressway projects.

They were speaking at a calling attention notice moved by deputy speaker Jaffarullah Khan, who also chaired the session.

On the occasion, Jaffarullah said tenders for both the projects had been awarded to the National Logistics Cell. He said they were expecting timely execution of the projects, but these were being delayed.

He said tenders should be cancelled if the contractors failed to execute the projects.

PPP member Imran Nadeem read the calling attention notice.

Taking part in the debate, opposition lawmaker Sikandar Ali said every 10th person in GB had a heart disease, thus the construction of cardiac centre was critical. He called for completing the project on time.

Ruling PML-N member Ghulam Hussain told the lawmakers that the projects were being delayed on part of the contracting firms.

The deputy speaker announced to form a parliamentary committee consisting of opposition leader Mohammad Shafi Khan, PPP member Javed Hussain, Imran Nadeem and GB minister for local bodies Farman Ali to take up the matter with the authorities.

The GBLA through another unanimous resolution tabled by opposition leader Mohammad Shafi Khan demanded establishment of a physiotherapy department in all government hospitals in the region.

The resolution said the physiotherapy department did not exist in GB hospitals due to which patients had to move to other cities for treatment.

The resolution said local students who had completed their education inphysiotherapy should be given jobs.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2018