Islamabad – A high-level committee, formed by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and led by Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held its third meeting to discuss the concerns raised by Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan. The meeting focused on identifying solutions to the region’s critical challenges, including wheat supply, energy shortages, financial agreements, and development fund utilization.
According to officials, during the meeting, CM Gulbar Khan emphasized the urgency of implementing the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decision to ensure 100% local wheat supply to GB, urging immediate directives to PASCO to address the issue. He also proposed a financial agreement between GB and the federal government, modeled after Azad Kashmir’s arrangement, to resolve financial constraints arising from the region’s exclusion from the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
The CM highlighted the importance of a phased disbursement of development funds, suggesting a 40%-60% formula to facilitate uninterrupted work on projects despite harsh weather conditions. He expressed concern over the region’s crippling energy crisis, with 18–20 hours of daily load-shedding disrupting life and businesses, and called for expedited implementation of the 100 MW solar energy project recently announced by the Prime Minister. Additionally, he urged the federal government to release funds for ongoing energy projects under WAPDA and the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
To improve governance and public service delivery, CM Gulbar Khan recommended creating 3,000 new federal posts and called for urgent approval of PC-IV for completed schools, hospitals, and government buildings. He also stressed the need for federal support to activate newly established districts in GB, ensuring effective governance and better public services.
In response, Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb assured that all issues raised by the Chief Minister would be addressed. He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to reviewing the ECC decision on wheat supply, accelerating the release of development funds, and examining the proposal for a financial agreement. He also announced the formation of a coordination mechanism to oversee energy projects and ensure their timely completion. Engineer Amir Maqam, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB, assured that the creation of new federal posts and the operationalization of completed projects would be prioritized.
The meeting, attended by key federal and provincial stakeholders, concluded with assurances from the federal government to translate the Prime Minister’s commitments into actionable measures. Collaborative efforts between federal and provincial governments aim to address Gilgit-Baltistan’s pressing challenges and improve the quality of life for its residents.
