GILGIT, Sept 11 The chief secretary Gilgit-Baltistan has ordered the health and education department to open 50 primary schools and same number of dispensaries immediately to ensure basic civic amenities to the people of the far-flung parts of the region.

An official of the Finance Department said that with the announcement, 319 new vacancies would be created to run the primary schools and dispensaries. Earlier, buildings had been built in remote valleys in this regard, he added.

The approval of the vacancies was accorded by Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad during the meeting of secretaries in the capital city Gilgit. The chief secretary, sources privy to the meeting said, also directed secretary health and education to make appointments on merit immediately.

Officials termed it a plan to overhaul the healthcare and education systems in the region.