SKARDU, Sept 16: The government is paying special attention to the uplift of Northern Areas and made substantial increase in annual development funds. This was stated by the Chief Secretary of Northern Areas, Nadeem Manzoor at inaugural ceremony of a free housing scheme the first of its kind in the Northern Areas here on Friday.

He said Rs 3.4 billion has been earmarked for the development budget of Northern Areas for the fiscal year 2005- 06. Moreover, several mega uplift projects worth Rs12 billion — Sadpara Dam, Karakuram University, Gilgit Hospital, widening of Gilgit-Skardu road, Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Bonji Hidel Project — are also included in the Public Sector Developmental Programme.

The chief secretary lauded the efforts of Allama Shaikh Mohsin Ali Najafi, the head of Uswa Schools System and the administrator of Almadinatul Ahle Bait for paying special attention in making the project successful.

He also lauded Alhaj Maisaum Kazim of Kuwait, the founder of the Almadinatul Ahle Bait for funding such a great welfare project.

He said appreciated Alhaj Kazim for providing a housing colony equipped with all basic facilities of life for the poor, disabled and shelterless people of Baltistan.

He requested Mr Maisum to extend such free housing scheme in other parts of Northern Areas too.

The chief secretary announced provision of teaching staff and furniture to the schools of the colony and medicines and paramedic staff to the dispensary.

Alhaj Kazim in his speech said that he has built the housing scheme only for the pleasure of Allah and for the welfare of humanity. He said that God has created human beings for the purpose to serve the people.

Alhaj Kazim inaugurated the housing colony by unveiling the plate.

Prof Ghulam Husswain Salim said that the scheme is comprised of 1,000 houses covering an area of 105 kanal of land. Each house has been furnished with standard carpets, crockery, beds, free gas and power connection. Every house has been linked with carpeted roads. In the middle of the colony there is a central building named Ahlebait complex which comprises of a mosque, Darul Quran, guest house, dispensary, clinic, community hall, and an Imambargah.

He said for the education of the children of the colony, two separate schools for boys and girls are under construction which needs government’s help. It has also planned to construct markets and play ground in the colony.

Prof Saleem said that a total amount of Rs 29,237,262 has been spent on the project. The 600 dwellers of the colony would be provided free meals two times daily. It has also planned to establish domestic industries so that the dwellers could become self-relient and earn their bred.

The dwellers would be accommodated for a period of 10 years and after it would decide to extend their accommodation. The distribution of the houses has been made through ads and after a strict investigation, the houses have been provided to the real deserver.

Later, Chief Secretary Nadeem Manzoor and Alhaj Maisum Kazim distributed keys of the houses to the orphan, disabled, poor and shelter less people. The inaugural ceremony was attended by army and civil officers, Ulema of different schools of thought, and a large number of people.