Preparing ahead: G-B CM vows to increase allocations for health, education

Says provision of potable water, hospitals are government’s priority


Shabbir Mir June 22, 2016
G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman addressing a pre-budget press conference. PHOTO: INP

GILGIT: A pre-budget conference was held at Assembly Hall in Gilgit where the G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman said education and health allocations would be increased manifold to cope with the region’s growing population.

“I can assure you we will be allocating a budget to education and health which will be the highest in percentage in the country,” he said during the conference on Wednesday. “The total outlay would be of over Rs35 billion, while the development fund would be of over Rs12 billion.”

He added education will get the maximum allocation so that every nook and corner could be reached. Rehman maintained every district would have two model schools that would be an example of quality education for the rest of the schools.



“We have spared substantial budget for that,” he added.

The chief minister, who was also accompanied by a senior minister, Akbar Taban and Deputy Speaker Jafarullah, said merit would be his government’s top priority and said the public they would witness significant improvement in the next fiscal year.

He said his government was also working on health reforms which would benefit doctors as well as patients.

Rehman added the provision of potable water and hospitals are the government’s priority. He said steps would also be taken to boost tourism in the coming fiscal year.

According to the chief minister, chairlifts would be installed in a number of places on scenic points and tourists would be charged for the services.

In view of the increase in the number of tourists from within the country, the chief minister said camping facilities would be provided to visitors.

The chief minister’s press conference came days ahead of the presentation of the annual budget in the G-B Assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2016.

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