GILGIT: Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam here on Friday said the federal government will increase its support to the GB government.

The minister arrived in GB on a three-day visit for the first time after assuming the charge.

He will hold meetings with Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and senior government officials. The minister will also review ongoing development projects in the region.

Talking to the media at the airport, the minister said central leaders of the PML-N and party’s supremo Nawaz Sharif had a special affiliation with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was trying day and night to bring economic prosperity to the country.

He said GB had the potential to attract a large number of domestic and international tourists due to its natural beauty and diverse culture.

Sources told Dawn that Mr Muqam will mediate and settle differences within the GB chapter of the party.

Currently, there are two groups in the local chapter of the part; one led by former chief minister and PML-N president Hafeezur Rehman and the other led by senior party leader Mohammad Anwar, who is also agriculture minister, and ex-senior minister and PML-N general secretary Mohammad Akbar Tabaan.

The second group has been demanding that the central leadership should reorganise the party in the region. Both the groups welcomed the federal minister separately and held separate meetings with him on Friday.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2024