GILGIT: The federal government has decided to release funds for development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and determine a formula to provide a regular budget for the northern region on the same footing as the four provinces and Azad Kashmir.

This was decided in a meeting held at the Ministry of Finance on Friday to discuss the budgetary and financial issues of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance Tariq Bajwa, GB Finance Minister Javaid Ali Manwa, GB Planning and Development Minister Fataullah Khan and other officials.

The meeting decided to release the fourth quarter funds for GB’s Annual Development Programme immediately and provide the funds for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects on a priority basis.

Formula to be devised for budgetary allocation to region; more flights to Skardu soon

The participants discussed financial and budgetary issues of the region and the difficulties faced by the government in funding development and non-development projects in the absence of a budget-share formula like the four provinces and AJK.

The meeting agreed to explore a formula for resource allocation to alleviate the region’s financial issues.

While the government agreed to approach the planning ministry to make space for additional authorisation, it also urged the region’s government to exercise austerity and use funds judiciously due to the current economic situation.

The release of development funds for GB remained a point of contention between the region’s government — led by the PTI — and Islamabad in recent months. In March, the GB chief minister warned of approaching the Supreme Court against the reduction of funds for development projects.

More flights to GB

In a separate development, the federal aviation ministry has decided to increase the frequency of Pakistan International Airlines flights to Gilgit and Skardu.

The decision came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the ministry to increase the flights and authorise private airlines to fly to GB to promote tourism.

This was decided in a meeting held at the Aviation Division on Friday to discuss the issue of flights to the region.

The meeting also decided to start Haj special flights from GB to facilitate the pilgrims intending to take the journey from the region.

Once the point of departure was notified, the PCAA will order PIA to start Haj flights from Skardu.

It was also agreed to start special flights from Lahore to Gilgit, Lahore and Karachi to Skardu. The PIA representative agreed to start flights from Faisalabad and Multan to Gilgit-Baltistan.

The reservations of GB people over high fares were also conveyed and it was decided that the matter will be reviewed.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2023