Record budget increase to usher area into new phase of development: CM

GILGIT: Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman Tuesday said that Gilgit Baltistan has witnessed a new phase of development after ten times increase of budget allocation during tenure of his government.

Addressing a budget seminar here, he said ten times increase in budget has usher Gilgit Balitistan into a new phase of progress and development. He said that Baltistan government was being authorized by federal government to approve projects to the tune of Rs one billion while Chief Secretary was given powers of Principal Accounting Officer.

He said that Gilgit Assembly has made more powerful under Empowerment Order 2015 and the area has given rights and power like other provinces adding “we are now in a position to take steps for people welfare on our own”.

CM said that under empowerment order Gilglt Baltistan has given exemption from taxes for five years. He urged private sector to take benefit from the opportunity and play role for the development of the area.

He said that government desires that Gilgit Baltistan should be self reliant and to achieve the objective steps have been taken to strengthen and bring improvement in institutions.