Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met newly appointed Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Advocate Amjad Hussain and assured him that the federal government was committed to working closely with his government for the welfare of the region’s people.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier told Hussain that the Centre is committed to working with his government for “the welfare and well-being of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan”.

The statement said that he also congratulated Hussain on assuming office. PM Shehbaz also said that the federal government was undertaking development initiatives in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health, education and other sectors for the region’s progress.

“Among the federal government’s projects, the top priorities include a 100-megawatt solar energy initiative and the establishment of knowledge schools,” the statement quoted the premier as saying.

He added that the federal government was also planning to establish a Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centre in Gilgit for the provision of convenient public services to the people.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema also attended the meeting.

PPP’s Hussain was elected as the chief minister, unopposed, on June 22 by the GB Assembly. The PPP formed a government in GB with the support of the PML-N, mirroring the arrangement at the federal level, following the elections in early June.