GILGIT, Sept 2: The government will launch a “Rozgar Pakistan Programme” in Northern Areas and other parts of the country to provide employment to the youth. This was stated by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affair and Northern Areas Tahir Iqbal while speaking at a public gathering in the Gaje village, Ghzir district, Northern Areas.

He distributed compensation cheques of Rs100,000 each among heirs of seven people who had died during recent rains and landslides.

He said flood warning and emergency relief centres would be established in every district of Northern Areas to avoid losses in future.

The minister, who is also the chief executive of Northern Areas, later visited Damdas and two other rain- affected villages in Gilgit.

He assured affected people that they would be provided with assistance and relief.

He directed the local administration to ensure provision of clean drinking water and other necessary facilities to people living in relief camps.

Mr Iqbal also visited an under-construction 18mv hydel power grid station at Niltar and directed to complete the project on time.

On completion, the grid station would meet 80-90 per cent electricity requirement of Gilgit and adjoining areas.

He said the government had approved a Gilgit to Tajikistan road and work on the project would be started soon.—Online