GILGIT: The authorities have decided to hold local bodies’ elections in Gilgit-Baltistan in the current year.

The decision was made in a meeting of Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet held here with Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Minister for Information Fatehullah Khan, Minister for Finance Javed Manwa and spokesperson for chief minister Ali Taj said that the cabinet approved GB Contract Employees Regularisation Act, and GB Public Procurement Bill, 2021.

The cabinet also approved reinstatement of doctors whose contracts had expired. The meeting decided to give more incentives to specialist doctors.

They said that the government would provide a grant of Rs350 million to Northern Areas Transport Company (Natco). The meeting also approved Rs24 million for K2 base camp and Baltoro glacier cleaning campaigns.

The cabinet approved service rules for Levies Force. The meeting also reviewed purchase of land for Qadri Airbase in Skardu. The cabinet decided to hold local bodies’ elections in the current after amending local government Act.

Local bodies’ elections in couldn’t be held GB since 2009.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2021