ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has underscored the urgent need for establishing an all-weather road infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to foster trade, economic growth, and tourism in the region.
He emphasized that a reliable, year-round transport network, especially between Gilgit and Skardu, is crucial for ensuring continuous and efficient transportation under varying weather conditions, thus enhancing goods movement and connectivity.
Addressing a delegation led by the President of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians GB, Amjad Hussain Advocate, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari highlighted the pressing issues faced by the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The delegation brought attention to the necessity for developing health and education infrastructure, addressing climate change impacts, and ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to boost tourism and economic activities in the area.
President Zardari expressed his lifelong ambition to see Gilgit-Baltistan flourish into a developed and prosperous region. He pointed out that constructing all-weather roads and tunnels between Skardu and Gilgit would not only streamline logistics and business transportation but also significantly improve access to essential public services like healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of upgrading Gilgit’s airport to further promote tourism.
The President assured the delegation of his commitment to prioritizing the establishment of a cardiology hospital and a nursing college in GB, aiming to deliver high-quality healthcare services to the local population. He stressed that enhancing health and education facilities is vital for the socio-economic uplift and prosperity of the region.
President Zardari also highlighted Gilgit-Baltistan’s immense potential for economic development, particularly in tourism. He noted that fully capitalizing on GB’s tourism potential could serve as a growth engine for the entire country. Furthermore, he advocated for harnessing GB’s hydroelectric potential to meet both local and national energy demands.
Earlier, the president informed the delegation that steps would be taken to establish a cardiology hospital and nursing college in the GB on a priority basis to provide high-quality health services to people of the area at their doorsteps.
He said that the provision of health and education facilities in the GB was essential for ensuring socio-economic uplift and prosperity.
The president maintained that the GB had great potential for economic development and commercial activities, especially in tourism, which if fully capitalized upon, could prove to be an engine of growth for the entire country.
He said that the GB’s hydroelectric potential should be harnessed to fulfill the local and national energy requirements.The president assured the delegation of his cooperation for the development of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The delegation apprised the president about the environmental issues of GB and suggested that promoting afforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, especially the plantation of walnut trees, could help save melting glaciers.
