Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed federal ministries and departments to accelerate work on ongoing development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and to ensure that funds for their completion are provided on time. He issued the instructions while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on Friday, telling officials to remove every bottleneck holding up implementation on a priority basis and to improve coordination between institutions so that progress is not lost to delay.

The meeting was attended by Gilgit-Baltistan's chief minister and senior federal ministers. Officials presented a report prepared by a committee set up in July on the prime minister's instructions, which reviewed the current status of federal projects, the obstacles facing them and the steps needed to finish them within their stipulated time. The prime minister also ordered regular monitoring of the projects, particularly in the energy sector, so that residents benefit from them at the earliest.

Energy projects lead the agenda

The review gave particular attention to hydropower, infrastructure and solar energy schemes. The prime minister directed the early completion of the federal government's 100-megawatt solar power project for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, and officials also examined progress on the Naltar Power Project and measures to improve electricity availability across the region. Discussions additionally covered strengthening counter-terrorism capabilities and expanding digital infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The prime minister reaffirmed that the development of Gilgit-Baltistan, the provision of basic facilities to its people and an improvement in their living standards remain among the federal government's priorities. He is expected to visit Gilgit-Baltistan on November 1 for commemorations marking the region's liberation from Dogra rule in 1947 and its subsequent accession to Pakistan.