PM announces development package for Gilgit-Baltistan

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday announced a development package for Gilgit-Baltistan aimed at the socio-economic uplift of the area. Addressing a huge public gathering at Shaheed Lalac Jan stadium in Gilgit, PM Gilani said relations with India could not improve without resolution of Kashmir dispute. Earlier, addressing a luncheon hosted by Acting Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, the prime minister maintained that the elections would be conducted under the judiciary; the region was going through fresh political process. Gilgit-Baltistan has been put on fast track. The area will now develop by leaps and bounds and all the departments need to play their role for that, he added. Gilani said people of Gilgit-Baltistan were wise enough to elect right candidates, adding that the government was trying to hold free and fair elections so that right people form the government. Earlier, Governor and other officials welcomed PM Gilani on his arrival in Gilgit. Talking to media on the occasion, PM Gilani said ministers from FATA who resigned yesterday would not leave the government and he vowed to remove their reservations before President Zardaris return. He told that Hina Rabbani Khar had been assigned the task to meet the ministers and remove their apprehensions. PM Gilani will also pay aerial visit to the site for Bhasha Dam.