G-B CM reverses decision to buy Android devices

Says the decision is not valid and no purchase of mobile phone will take place

GILGIT: Using discretionary powers, the chief minister Gilgit-Baltistan reversed the bureaucracy’s earlier decision to purchase new Android cell phones for its 40 senior bureaucrats.

CM Hafeezur Rehman took the decision on Friday, a day after media reports suggested that the local bureaucracy had decided to buy Samsung Note 8 mobile phones for 40 senior officials including the chief secretary and secretaries.

According to an official letter, officials were entitled to purchase Samsung Note 8 or equivalent mobile phone worth Rs92,000.



“The decision has been reversed by the chief minister and no purchase of mobile phones will take place now,” a senior official at the chief minister secretariat told The Express Tribune.

CM Rehman reportedly expressed displeasure over the bureaucracy’s decision that he came to know about through media reports. “We can’t just spend money like this,” Rehman said.

“The decision to buy new mobiles was approved during the previous government,” said the chief minister. “This decision is not therefore valid now.”



The provincial chief executive added that "it was the secretaries’ decision”.

The decision to purchase the cellphones came days after the chief minister accused the Imran Khan-led federal government of withholding the development budget for crucial projects in G-B.