PM Shehbaz unveils Rs4b for infrastructure restoration in flood-hit GB

GILGIT: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced Rs4 billion in funds for the rehabilitation of infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). He attended a ceremony to distribute relief checks to those affected by the recent heavy rains and floods in Gilgit.

During his address, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the victims and said that the federal and Gilgit-Baltistan governments will work together to deal with natural disasters. He directed the Minister for Communications to take immediate steps to rebuild infrastructure and urged all relevant departments to coordinate their efforts.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is one of the countries worst affected by climate change, with cloudbursts causing heavy rains and floods. He prayed for the deceased and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

He added that he had come to Gilgit along with cabinet members to express solidarity with the victims, given the severe loss of life and property. He stressed the urgent need for an advanced warning system to deal with such disasters in the future.

Shahbaz Sharif announced to visit Gilgit again by the end of August and said that he will keep coming back until you settle in your homes. He said that the 100 MW solar system project will be completed in the current financial year.

He also announced to lay the foundation stone of a Danish school during his next visit and said that another school will be established in Skardu. He said that investment in youth is investment in the future.

The Chief Minister and ministers appreciated the Prime Minister’s commitment.

Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan, while addressing the ceremony, said that Prime Minister Shahbaz understands the pain of the people of GB. He stressed that infrastructure development is necessary to promote tourism in the region.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam also expressed sympathy with the victims and appreciated Prime Minister Shahbaz’s commitment to public service, saying that ‘the Prime Minister has never left the people alone in difficult times’.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif attended a briefing on the flood situation and said that he had come to assess the damage caused by floods and cloudbursts in Gilgit. He expressed grief over the human and financial losses and confirmed that federal institutions are in close coordination with the GB government.

He reiterated that although Pakistan contributes very little to global carbon emissions, it is among the 10 countries most affected by climate change. The Prime Minister recalled the 2022 floods as another example of this growing threat and said that its effects are being seen in GB, Azad Kashmir and other provinces.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the Ministry of Climate Change has been directed to take immediate steps to address these challenges. He praised the commendable work of NDMA and promised to personally supervise the speedy completion of both the Solar Park and Danish School projects.

During his one-day visit to Gilgit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met the Governor and Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, where he was briefed on the flood damage, development projects and the security situation in the region.