President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan area were also vast reservoirs of water and their movement needed to study scientifically for a better understanding of the water and environmental issues. He said this while talking to Agostino Da Ploenza, a renowned mountaineer and President K2 Committee, who called on him on Tuesday here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr along with the Italian ambassador in Islamabad.

The K2 Committee in Italy headed by Agostino is working on a scientific project for carrying out research on glaciers movement in Himalayas, Karakorum and HinduKash. Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President, while talking to Agostino Da Ploenza appreciated the scientific research project carried out by the K2 committee in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The President said that the government is focusing on development and uplift of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and welcomed private initiatives in this regard. He said that he would recommend to the government to consider setting up a political committee to examine issue in water, environment and energy in Gilgit-Baltistan to suggest measures for optimal utilisation of the areas' natural resources. He said that the K-2 Committee of Italy could play an important role in this regard.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010