SKARDU, Aug 20: The government is paying special attention to the development of Skardu and Ghangche districts of the Northern Areas. This was stated by NAPWD Baltistan region chief engineer Wazir Muzaffar Abbas while speaking at a “meet the press” programme held here at the press club on Saturday.

He said that Rs1.023 billion would be spent on 211 schemes during the current financial year.

The chief engineer said that top priority was being accorded to the power sector and Rs299.932 million would be spent on 48 development schemes.

The most important scheme was the construction of 28 megawatt power house at Basho in the Skardu district and the proposal had been sent to the ECNEC for final approval.

He said that one megawatt power stations at Tolti, Kindirik, Shamayool, Bashe and Sermik, while two megawatt power house would be constructed at Bordas Balaghar, 725 kilowatt power house at Hoo Shiger and 400 KWA power house at Testey Shiger was being constructed. Two megawatt power houses at Thaliy and Taloo while one megawatt at Hassanabad Ghangche would be constructed.—APP