Amjad Hussain Seeks Rs49 Billion Package For Gilgit-Baltistan Development

Gilgit-Baltistan – (Choudhry Mudasser) – Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain has formally requested a Rs49 billion package Gilgit-Baltistan development fund from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling it vital for the region’s growth. He shared this demand during a key meeting with the federal special committee on Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Chief Minister said the region’s current budget simply isn’t enough. People living in far-off areas still lack basic facilities, and he believes this new funding could finally close that gap.

Amjad Hussain joined the meeting through video link. It was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal. Several senior officials from Gilgit-Baltistan also attended the session.

During the same visit, the Chief Minister met a delegation from the National Paigham-e-Peace Committee. He welcomed the scholars warmly and called their visit a message of love, brotherhood and unity.

He reminded everyone that Gilgit-Baltistan isn’t just a region on a map. It’s a proud and loyal part of Pakistan, shaped by the sacrifices of its people.

“Pakistan is our identity, our hope and our shared future,” he said. According to him, the country’s real strength lies in unity, not resources.

The Chief Minister spoke about how disagreements shouldn’t turn into hate. Political differences, he explained, should never become personal grudges. He urged religious leaders to keep spreading harmony instead of division.

Places of worship, he added, should always remain spaces of peace. Whether it’s a mosque, temple, church or imambargah, these spaces must protect the values of tolerance.

He also praised religious scholars for having influence that even government orders can’t match. A single kind message from a scholar, he said, can pull a young person away from extremism.

Turning back to development, Amjad Hussain listed the region’s strong points. Tourism, hydropower, minerals, farming and handicrafts all hold real potential. But none of this can grow without peace first.

He also asked for quicker action on the Prime Minister’s earlier promise of a 100MW solar project. This, he said, could ease Gilgit-Baltistan’s tough winter electricity shortages.

Another major request was the transfer of Rs7 billion from the Gilgit-Baltistan Council to the provincial government. He compared this to how the Kashmir Council operates, saying the Council’s role should stay advisory only.

He additionally called for Rs4 billion meant for special reforms to be released without delay. These funds, he said, are needed to carry out reforms the Prime Minister had already announced.

On long-term funding, the Chief Minister raised the issue of including Gilgit-Baltistan in the NFC mechanism. He noted this would require constitutional changes and support from Parliament.

Until then, he suggested a temporary financial setup similar to the one used for Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This, he said, could support the region while formal legislation is pending.

The government’s larger goal remains clear. Officials want to turn Gilgit-Baltistan into a peaceful, developed and united model region for the rest of Pakistan to follow.

With the Rs49 billion package Gilgit-Baltistan proposal now on the table, many are hopeful this could mark a turning point for the region’s future.