Government top priority to bring prosperity in Gilgit-Baltistan: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the development of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is one of the priority areas of the government and every possible assistance would be extended to the provincial government in this regard.
The development of Gilgit-Baltistan would bring multiple prospects of tourism and ensure prosperity in the area, the Prime Minister said while talking to Dr Shamma Khalid, a prominent social worker of Gilgit-Baltistan, at the PM's House here. The Prime Minister said that the elections held in Gilgit-Baltistan after attaining the status of a province in 2009, has brought the people of the region into the mainstream politics of the country.
The participation of all the main political parties of the country in the elections was equally encouraging for the integration of the region with other part of the country. While deliberating upon the progress on various development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Diamir-Bhasha Dam would not only serve the region in bringing about prosperity but would benefit the entire country to meet the energy needs.
He emphasised for close co-operation and co-ordination between the provincial government of Gilgit-Baltistan and federal government for early completion of public welfare projects in the area. Dr Shamma Khalid while referring to the status accorded to Gilgit-Baltistan said that it has given an identity to the people of the region who feel proud to be part of country.
The elections of 2009, she said, brought about a new spirit among the people to work with commitment for the uplift of their region. Dr Shamma Khalid is a leading social worker who has voluntarily worked in different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan by establishing free summer medical camps every year. She also worked for an NGO with objective to "save the children" from 1999-2001. Later from 2003-2010, she served with UNHCR on a project for the welfare of Afghan women and children refugees.