Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Barjis Tahir informed Senate’s Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Balsitan that Rs 47 billion each have been allocated for Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Sajid Mir at the Parliament House on Thursday. The federal minister said that PC-1 was ready for Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad motorway and railway line and Kail to Giligt Baltistan roads. From different dams of Gilgit Baltistan, 50,000 megawatts electricity could be produced and other side rivers of Azad Jammu Kashmir can help produce 18,000 megawatts electricity, he said.

He said that the Diamir Dam would produce 4500 megawatts electricity and Bochani Dam has ability to generate 7500 megawatts. The minister informed the committee that from the small projects of Gilgit Baltistan, 20 to 25 megawatts electricity could be produced. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already inaugurated electricity projects in Gilgit Baltistan that will help overcome load shedding in the area.

Moreover, the approval of Institute of Cardiology has been accorded to provide health facilities to people of the region. About projects in Azad Jammu Kashmir, he said that the prime minister has allocated Rs 500 million for the state’s development projects and 150 million for flood-hit areas in Gilgit Baltistan.

Besides the federal minister and the committee chairman, the meeting was attended by Senator Baz Muhammad, Senator Ahmed Hassan, Senator Najma Hameed, Senator Salahuddin Trimzi and other officials of the ministry.