The secretary Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and senior officers of the ministries of AJ&K and Gilgit-Baltistan concerned briefed the committee about the development projects, especially in energy, health, education, tourism and forest sectors, and requested to enhance their fund allocations.
The committee was told that a 15-meter wide metalled road would soon be constructed to connect Central Asia and Tajikistan with Ghizer district of GB. The proposed road would help increase trade and import of gas from Tajikistan.
The committee desired to visit the proposed road site which will connect Gilgit-Baltistan with Tajikistan.
The special committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has also strongly recommended proposed link in its report. The committee expressed satisfaction over the performance of the government of Gilgit-Baltistan for initiating public service projects.
The committee was told that the groundbreaking of the new building of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly would be held on February 5. The Neelum-Jhelum Project has been completed and the generated power would be added to the national grid from the end of February.
The government of Gilgit-Baltistan has decided to convert wooden bridges of Gilgit-Baltistan into concrete bridges in different phases. A sum of Rs 2 billion has been allocated to convert 80 wooden bridges into concrete bridges this year.
As many as 1.6 million record local tourists visited Gilgit-Baltistan last year. A women university would be established in Gilgit to provide quality education to girls at their doorsteps.
After the briefing, the members put various questions regarding the proposed projects under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2018-19 and finally endorsed the proposals of the Ministry of KA&GB with the remarks that all projects should be completed according to prescribed specifications and standards within timeframe in the best public interest.