GILGIT: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday announced action against elements spreading chaos in the name of religion in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He directed the authorities concerned to identify the elements and take strict action against them.

Prime Minister Kakar along with Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi, Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Minister for Communication Shahid Tarar, Secretary Planning Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Secretary Kashmir Affairs Babar Hayat Tarar arrived in Gilgit on a two-day visit on Tuesday.

The caretaker prime minister chaired a meeting to discuss development projects and law and order situation in Gilgit-Baltistan. Besides others, GB Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gulbar Khan and senior officers attended the meeting.

Says federal govt will provide resources to GB for establishment of sustainable peace

Addressing the participants, the caretaker prime minister said security of every citizen was the responsibility of the state. ’Geographically and strategically, Gilgit-Baltistan is an important part of Pakistan, and the peaceful and beautiful region will not be allowed to become a haven for negative activities of miscreants,“ he said.

The state’s writ will be ensured in all cases and those who obstruct the path of peace and development will be dealt with with iron hands. The federal government will provide all necessary resources and facilities to the provincial government for the establishment of sustainable peace and order and the development of the region.

In the meeting, Mr Kakar was also briefed about the progress on projects in information technology, health, education and other sectors.He was told that steps had been taken to identify and address the problems confronting the education sector in all GB districts, particularly Diamer and Astore.

He was also informed about measures taken for the promotion of education sector including the provision of food to students, reconstruction of buildings and rehabilitation of dilapidated structures, professional training of teachers and establishment of smart schools.The caretaker prime minister was also apprised of projects in the GB health sector, including the establishment of a 24-hour helpline to address the issue of mental health.

Besides the performance of the environment and tourism sectors, the meeting was also briefed about the sowing of wheat and subsidy on the crop, production and potential of hydel power as well as the budget.

Mr Kakar directed the GB administration and leadership to assess the scope of the ongoing development projects and give a special focus on those of a crucial nature.

Earlier, Mr Kakar laid a wreath at Yadgar-i-Shuhada in Chinar Bagh Gilgit. He was briefed by Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mohyuddin Ahmen Wani on various development projects.

Mr Kakar visited an exhibition of projects developed by government school students and evinced a keen interest and interacted with them.

The students presented various models depicting power generation from hydel and solar sources to mitigate impact of climate change.The caretaker prime minister lauded the abilities of the children and said Pakistan had a bright future ahead due to its talented youth. He appreciated the knowledge of young girls and boys on environmental issues.

Mr Kakar also held a meeting with Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Gulbar Khan and a number of delegations.

Talking to the media in Gilgit, information minister Solangi said the caretaker government had a limited period and limited powers. However, this is a responsible government.

He said the caretaker prime minister met GB cabinet members, political and religious leadership and discussed various issues, including law and order situation. Mr Solangi said the prime minister directed the officials concerned to resolve the issue of subsidised wheat.

“We observed the talent of the local youth, PM believes that if their legal and constitutional issues are solved, they would be crown of the head of Pakistan. I agree with the vision of the prime minister,” said the information minister.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2023