Governor, Gilgit-Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira has said the area is rich in precious minerals which would be tapped through introduction of modern technologies and investment. A comprehensive strategy is being planned to woo investment in all potential sectors of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and make it a developed area of the country, he said this while talking to APP here.
Qamar Zaman Kaira, who took oath as the first Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan the other day, said tourism, mining and hydel potential in Gilgit-Baltistan can change the fate of the area and in this regard local as well as foreign investors would be invited and offered numerous incentives.
He said the best strategy to counter issues in Gilgit-Baltistan is political empowerment of the people and the new democratic system of governance in GB has been introduced to give all rights to people of the area and ensure their prosperity. "We believe protection of rights, creation of job opportunities and business activities are the best counter for exploitation," he said replying to a question.
Kaira said in the current financial year budget for the area has been enhanced and more than Rs 10 billion have been allocated in PSDP for development of the social sector.
He said a committee comprising senior officers, and technical people has been constituted by President Asif Ali Zardari to plan uplift programmes of GB which would forward its recommendations soon. The Governor said the public service commission would be set-up in GB to create more job opportunities and train educated people of the area through NIPA. "The other thing we are planning is that officers from GB would be sent to Pakistan to get 4-6 months training. Also officers from Pakistan will be sent to GB for training purpose," he added.
The Governor said judiciary in GB is independent and we have enhanced the number of judges in Chief Court from 3 to 5 to deal with pending cases.
Answering a question, he stressed that elections would be held on due date of November 12 and said the elected representatives could bring further improvement in self-governance order 2009. Kaira said the government has decided not to change delimitation of the constituencies of the Legislative Assembly which itself was manifestation of the fact that it was fully committed to free and fair elections. He said after Eid, Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would visit GB and announce an economic package for the area.