Prime Minister Imran Khan says the government will work on fast track basison provincial status of Gilgit-Baltistan to address the sense ofdeprivation of the people of the region.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of new cabinet member ofGilgit-Baltistan in Gilgit today (Wednesday), he said a committee to thiseffect will be constituted and it will work under timelines.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the new government in GB willset new standards of governance that will improve the living standard ofthe people.

Unveiling his plan for development and welfare of the people of GB, ImranKhan said the present government’s Ehsaas Programme, which is the largestpoverty alleviation program of Pakistan history, will be introduced in GBas well.

He said all the people of GB will be provided health insurance with theissuance of Sehat Insaaf Cards under which they can get free medicalfacility at any hospital up to one million rupees. He said theunder-construction 250-bed hospital in Gilgit will be completed.

The Prime Minister expressed commitment to turn Gilgit Baltistan into a hubof tourism. He said easy loans will be provided to people to help themconstruct rooms at their residences for tourists.

He said 300 MW hydro electricity will be generated, which will be more thansufficient for the region. He said two hydro electricity power stations arebeing constructed; two others are in the pipeline while two more have beenapproved. Besides, he said, micro hydro power stations will also be set up.

The Prime Minister said Special Economic Zone will also be constructed inGB where industries will relocate.

Elaborating the PTI’s vision, Imran Khan said he is focused to uplift theliving standard of the downtrodden segment of the society. He saiddevelopment of the backward areas, including GB, merged districts of KhyberPakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan is a priority of his government.