Revenues from Sost border to be spent in Gilgit-Baltistan, says Barjees
Islamabad, May 26: Federal Minister for Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir Affairs, Chaudhary Barjees Tahir has said that the revenues earned from the Sost border in lieu of trade with China will be spent on the development of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In this regard, he has instructed to devise a formula for distribution of the revenues between Islamabad and regional government, within 15 days.
He made the remarks while presiding over a meeting specially convened to discuss the issue here in the federal capital.
The trade through Sost border, across the Khunjerav pass, had started in the mid 1980s, however, all the income obtained is routinely being shifted to Islamabad. The local people of the Hunza Valley particularly and the residents of GB generally had been demanding of the government to spend the income for the region’s development.
The volume of trade and the revenues are likely to increase exponentially in the years ahead as the Pak-China Economic Corridor starts functioning. However, the GBLA and the GB Council have so far failed to devise policies to safeguard interests of the region’s economy.
The meeting with attended by KA&GB Secretary Shahidullah Baig, Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Sultan Raja, GB Council members Amjad Advocte and Wazir Ibadat, among others.
Thanks federal minister sab and your team for taking
interest in allocation of resources for GB.
It goes without saying that is too late from our leadership (GBLA+
Gb council+federal Govt) side.
All of you are well versed with the situation that now a
days all our future generation (Students) and builders (teachers) of Govt. and
sap are on the road and all this is because of not having streamline the
systems. Financial limitations may be main hindrances in such types of
activities. If you would allocate sufficient resources for Gb our frustration
and despondency would be reduced and confidence on leaders would be restored.
Still I am much concern regarding legalizing corruption
through resolutions of GBLA that is needed to discouraged and condemn. Former
chief secretary Younus dagah had initiated action against corrupt elements and
present chief secretary is also keen to eradicate corruption and streamline the
systems and relies on service delivery. Minister Sab! Please extend your full support
and cooperation to our top management and leadership (though still it is figure
head) as well.