ISLAMABAD, 20 July 2021 (TON): The federal government on Friday proposed Rs37.92 billion development outlay for Gilgit-Baltistan in its fiscal year budget 2021-22.

According to the budget document, the government has proposed Rs18 billion in terms of block allocation in G-B’s Annual Development Programme (ADP).

Likewise, Rs19.92 billion funding has been proposed for 10 uplift projects, including seven new ones, in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

It is pertinent to mention that G-B, a mountainous region in the north of the country, is one of the important parts of the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In addition to that, the region’s economic potential has prompted the government to start planning for giving a provincial status to G-B, a long demand from the region’s people.

The document added that Rs2.50 billion funds for a 20MW hydropower project in Hunza, Rs1.80 billion for a hydropower project in Shagarthang, Skardu, more than Rs980 million for a hydel power project in Thang, Chilas, Rs1.46 billion for 16MW hydropower project in Naltar, and Rs1.52 billion have been suggested for the first phase of regional grid station in Gilgit.