Time will come when the people will come to Gilgit-Baltistan in search of jobs: PM Imran Khan
SKARDU, Dec 16 (SABAH): Prime Minister Imran Khan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uplift the poor lot and backward areas of the country. PM Imran Khan said that the time will come when the people will come to Gilgit-Baltistan in search of jobs. He said that the area of Switzerland is half as compared to the area of GB, adding that there is no comparison of beauty between GB and Switzerland. He said that Switzerland is earning $70 billion from tourism, adding that Pakistan could also earn $30 to 40 billion easily from tourism from Gilgit-Baltistan. PM Imran Khan said that the local people could not imagine the change which is going to come in their lives in result of establishment of International Skardu Airport, which he could imagine. PM asked CM GB and people present in the public gathering that they should remain cautious about their land as the people will come for purchasing their land and due to more poverty the people will offer more money to the land of local people.
Addressing a public gathering in Skardu on Thursday, PM Imran Khan said several steps have been taken in order to bring at par areas such as Gilgit Baltistan, tribal districts, Balochistan, Interior Sindh and those in Punjab at par with the developed ones.
Referring to the inauguration of Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road, the Prime Minister expressed the confidence that both international and domestic tourists will pour into this region because of enhanced connectivity. He was confident that overseas Pakistanis living in United States, United Kingdom and Europe will be the first ones to visit the region to spend their summer vacations. He said this will provide livelihood opportunities to the local people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Imran Khan mentioned that tourism can become a big asset for Pakistan. He pointed out that Switzerland, which is half the size of Gilgit-Baltistan, is earning seventy billion dollars from tourism. He said given the unparalled beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan can also earn about thirty to forty billion dollars from tourism in this region. He said there is also great scope of religious tourism in other parts of the country.
Turning to the issue of price hike, the Prime Minister said it is an international phenomenon. He however said the government is starting from today Ehsaas Rashan scheme under which each household earning less than 50y thousand rupees a month will be provided 30 percent subsidy on wheat-flour, ghee and pulses.
He said our health insurance scheme has covered the whole population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the same is being launched in Punjab from next month and these will be provided to the whole population of Punjab in next three months. He said the health cards will also be provided to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan under which they will be able to avail medical treatment worth one million rupees from the public or private hospitals.
The Prime Minister said we have also launched Kamyab Pakistan initiative to uplift the underprivileged segments of the society. He said this program envisages interest free loans and technical training for one member of every deserving household.
In his remarks, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Barrister Khalid Khurshid Khan said it is the first time that the present government has announced a development package for the region, saying this will help address our electricity and connectivity issues.