SKARDU: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the government is committed to the development of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with the inauguration of Baltistan University in Skardu on Wednesday, he said the multi-billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor project will generate economic activities and provide job opportunities to the people of the area.
He expressed the hope that Gilgit-Baltistan will emerge as one of the most developed areas of the country due to the dividends of CPEC.
He said it is the first government which not only initiated projects but also completed them.
The Prime Minister said unlike the previous governments, we have committed funds for Diamer and Dasu dams. Work on these projects will also be started soon.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi hoped that Jaglot-Skardu road project will bring prosperity to the area. He expressed the confidence that the road project will be completed before December 2019.
He said the government has given record development funds for Skardu.
The Prime Minister said there are great prospects of tourism in Gilgit Baltistan. He said about one point five million tourists visited the area this year but expressed the confidence that the figure will run into millions because of the immense beauty of the area.
The Prime Minister said that continuity of democratic process is imperative to address the problems of the people. He, therefore, stressed that the elected governments must complete their tenures.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated Baltistan University in Skardu.
Executive Director of Higher Education Commission gave briefing to the Prime Minister on the university.
The university will enroll two thousand students for higher education.
The Prime Minister was briefed that Karakoram University Campus has been upgraded to Baltistan University.
Gilgit-Baltistan Government has allocated 1500 kanals of land for the university which would be set up at a cost of 1.77 billion rupees.
A medical college would also be opened under the University.
