GB CM Vows Strict Resource Protection and Merit-Based Governance

GILGIT: Caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice (Retd.) Yar Muhammad, has said that the caretaker government will place special focus on safeguarding national resources and ensuring their proper use.

While speaking during a briefing given by the Services and General Administration Department and the Cabinet, he said that austerity and simplicity would be strictly observed. “Protecting national resources and using them correctly is our foremost responsibility,” he added.

He said that merit, good governance, and the efficient use of resources will guide the government’s direction. The caretaker chief minister termed the implementation of the ‘E-office’ system in government departments a positive step toward improving governance and resolving public issues promptly. He directed authorities to gradually expand the system to all offices, saying it would promote transparency and efficiency.

He stressed that development is impossible without honesty and proper resource utilization. He welcomed the advertising and recruitment process for officer posts in Gilgit-Baltistan under the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). During his meeting with the FPSC chairman, he said he would recommend that all pending vacancies sent by the Services Department be advertised soon.

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The caretaker chief minister instructed the provincial secretary of services to finalize all departmental rules on a priority basis. He described the establishment of the Gilgit-Baltistan Testing Service as a commendable step toward transparency and merit-based hiring.

He said the caretaker government would ensure merit, transparency, good governance, and austerity. He also announced that a recommendation would be sent to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to transfer the share of the Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance of Gilgit-Baltistan employees from the federal to the provincial government.

Earlier, Provincial Secretary Services and General Administration Usman Ahmed gave a detailed briefing on the department’s performance and the steps taken to promote transparency and good governance in the region.