PM orders faster work on Gilgit-Baltistan projects before 1 November visit
Shehbaz Sharif reviewed hydropower, infrastructure and a 100 megawatt solar scheme, and told ministries to release funds and clear hurdles on priority.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered federal ministries and departments to speed up work on development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and to make sure the funds they need are released on time, Express News reported on 30 October. A visit by the prime minister to Gilgit-Baltistan on 1 November is also expected. The region observes that date as the anniversary of its independence from Dogra rule and its accession to Pakistan.
He gave the instruction at a meeting held to review the progress of federal projects in the region. Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain attended, and the 1 November anniversary was marked at the meeting.
The meeting was given the report of a committee constituted in July 2026 on the prime minister's orders. The report set out where federal projects in Gilgit-Baltistan currently stand, the obstacles holding up their execution, and the steps required to complete them on schedule.
Progress on hydropower, infrastructure and solar power schemes came under review. The prime minister directed that the 100 megawatt solar power project launched for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan be completed at the earliest. The meeting also discussed completion of the Naltar power project, an expansion of counter-terrorism capacity and the installation of digital infrastructure.
Shehbaz Sharif told the ministries concerned to remove every obstacle to completion on a priority basis and to tighten coordination between the agencies executing the schemes. He asked for regular monitoring of progress on energy projects in particular, so that people begin to benefit from them sooner rather than later.
The prime minister said the development of Gilgit-Baltistan, the provision of basic facilities to its residents and an improvement in their standard of living were among the federal government's priorities.
According to Express News, those attending included federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazir Tarar, Aleem Khan, Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima and Sardar Awais Leghari, the prime minister's advisers Rana Sanaullah and Muhammad Ali, and officials of the departments concerned.
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