Gilani terms US 12 billion dlr Diamir Bhasha “life-line” of Pakistan

Gilani terms US 12 billion dlr Diamir Bhasha “life-lie” of Pakistan

CHILAS, Oct 18 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday termed the US 12 billion dollars Diamir-Bhasha Dam project a “life-line” for the national economy, that would help meet country’s future agricultural and power requirements.He was addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the world’s highest concrete dam on River Indus that would generate 19 billion units of electricity annually and enhance life of Tarbela Dam by over 35 years.Prime Minister Gilani termed it a historic day and appreciated the people of Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and their political leadership for standing united to initiate the mega project.He said the gigantic project would generate 4500 MW electricity and store over 8 Million Acre Feet of water to meet country’s growing power and irrigation needs, and was the outcome of consensus amongst all stakeholders.

He said taking clue from the fate of the Kalabagh Dam that fell victim to some politicians who kept on playing to the gallery, he decided to take all stakeholders on board.

Gilani paid rich tributes to the political acumen of all political parties for backing the project. The Prime Minister also lauded the local people who had to sacrifice their ancestral lands for a great national cause.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the international donors for the project. He regretted that had the work on the project started earlier, it would have gone a long way in alleviating the sense of deprivation of the people.

Gilani said the dam was the outcome of the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and recalled that in 1974-75 Northern Areas Framework Ordinance was promulgated and all agencies were given the status of Districts.

He said Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had added Ghizer and Ganche as new districts and launched work on the Pak-China symbol of Karakoram Highway.

POLITICS:
Prime Minister Gilani stressed consistency in national politics to ensure continuity of policies and said it helps develop faith of the people in their elected representatives.

Gilani said he and his government had no interest in “clinging to the power” because the public service could be done by being either at treasury and opposition benches.

He said he had directed that all the projects initiated during his government, must be completed, along with the work on ongoing projects.
He said the multitude of problems that the country was facing could not be resolved by a single leader, or any particular party.  He said all the political leadership and parties needed to stand united and work for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Gilani said the coalition government during the last around four years, has made unprecedented achievements. He said the politicians having the “March Syndrome” were not in fact afraid of the election of Senate, but of the credit due to the coalition government for presenting next budget for fifth consecutive time.

He said the government would come up with several new development projects in the next budget that would bring in more stability. Gilani said those wishing to weaken the government would not succeed and the people of country would elect their leaders on merit.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gilani, referring to the pointing of a complaint about payment of compensation said a committee has already worked on the matter and if there were any more issues, these need to be resolved by sitting together with the leadership of the GB. He also asked the Chief Minister GB to accommodate elected members from MQM in the government so that they can play a positive role in the development of their area.

He said agreements had been entered with China on the construction of 165 km Jaglot-Skardu and 135 km long Jaglot-Sazin. Gilani announced Rs 200 million for District Diamir, setting up of Engineering faculty at the KKH University, that would be later upgraded to a separate engineering university. He directed setting up of a Cadet College at Chillas He announced an additional amount of Rs one billion to the Government of GB for KKH and other roads besides the already allocated amount of Rs 11.5 billion.

The Prime Minister also directed Wapda to initiate work on upgradation of three DHQ hospitals at Chilas and Skardu, a public school at Ganche, sponsorship of GB scouts, where local people of Diamir Bhasha be given preference. Referring to a demand for a road from Ghizer to Tajikistan, the Prime Minister said talks were underway with the governments of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. He said the government was desirous of providing connectivity with the Central Asian Republics.

Gilani said the Pakistan Television was already airing news bulletins in Shina and Balti languages. The event was attended by Minister for Defence Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Governor Gilgit Baltistan Pir Karam Ali Shah, Chief Minister GB Mehdi Shah, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Ahmed Khan, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kauser and Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti.

Regularisation of non-duty paid vehicles in Gilgit Baltistan: FBR, MoF to mull over new amnesty scheme

Islamabad (BR): The Federal Board of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance will discuss the proposal of amnesty scheme for regularisation of nearly 8,000 non-duty paid vehicles in Gilgit Baltistan. Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the tax authorities would take up the matter with Minister of Finance Abdul Hafiz Sheikh to take some decision on the amnesty scheme for the legalisation of non-duty paid vehicles in Gilgit Baltistan on payment of duties and taxes.Under the existing customs laws, the non-duty paid vehicles have been outrightly confiscated by the customs department and later these vehicles have been disposed off under the auction procedure. As per customs laws, there is no option of amnesty scheme for payment of reduced amount of duties and taxes for the regularisation of non-duty paid vehicles.

Recently, the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court has directed the government to regularise non-duty paid vehicles of Gilgit-Baltistan on payment of duties and taxes. The FBR has decided to approach the Ministry of Finance on the possibility of announcing new amnesty scheme for regularisation of these non-duty paid vehicles in Gilgit Baltistan.According to sources, around 8,000 vehicles are plying in the area of Gilgit Baltistan with the permission of their local excise and taxation department. Tax authorities would also analyse the aspect of area specific amnesty scheme for the legalisation of non-duty paid vehicles. In case the government announces an amnesty scheme for a specific area, whether owners of non-duty paid vehicles in other areas can also demand similar kind of scheme. The FBR would also discuss the legal and procedural implications of the proposed amnesty scheme with the Ministry of Finance, sources added.

Najib Alam has Become the Youngest Deputy Home Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit: Mr. Najieb Alam has been appointed at the Deputy Secretary Home Gilgit-Baltistan. Mr. Najieb Alam who hails from Karimabad, Hunza and belongs to a highly educated family, his grand father is known as Ustad Afiyat and father Ustad Shah Alam, both of home served in the education department of Hunza-Gilgit-Baltistan at Karimabad High School. Ustad Shah Alam is also a highly respected and honored social worker in Hunza.

Mr. Najieb Alam is the youngest Deputy Secretary in Gilgit-Baltistan, who in his academic career thorough out has got distinction and completed his MA with gold medal  in International Affairs from Quid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. Mr. Najeeb Alam is very were known for his hardwork, honesty and fair play in the govt. administration and there are many hopes attached to this bright and raising star in the future.

Zardari to Visit Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan to Innumerate Diamer-Bahsha Dame

GILGIT (ET): The Gilgit-Baltistan district administration on Wednesday reviewed and finalised all required security ahead of President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Chilas. According to a handout issued by the press information department, all arrangements were reviewed during a meeting presided over by Saifullah Chatta, the chief secretary of the area. The meeting was attended by the heads of law enforcement agencies and senior administration officials. Chatta directed concerned parties to ensure a foolproof arrangement and make every effort to make the visit a success. The meeting also discussed matters relating to repairing the district’s helipad and roads on an urgent basis.

Public School and College (PSC) Gilgit is Facing Tough Financial Constraints

Gilgit (ET): The prestigious Public School and College (PSC) in Gilgit, that has helped shape many futures since 1980, is currently engaged in a battle for its own survival.

Initially it was the government that had decided to bear 50 per cent of the financial expenditures of the institution. But today it has fallen down to 12 per cent, with the remaining being the responsibility of the school management. “It is becoming more and more difficult with each passing day for us to meet the rising expenses,” said vice principal of the school, Javed Aslam. “If we increase tuition fees, we have to face resistance from parents,” he added.

However despite all odds, the school management had kept the fee low, keeping the weak financial position of the parents in mind. “The salaries of staff have doubled in the past two years but we raised the tuition fee by a mere 20 per cent,” he said, adding that the school required a water filtration plant and some buses for transportation.

According to a survey conducted by the institution, its services for the area have been monumental. The establishment of Public School and College in Gilgit some three-decades back had proved to be the turning point in the history of the region. More than 60 per cent of the officials currently serving at the top positions in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) today received their education from PSC, the survey revealed.

Aslam said the students of  PSC are serving in every field including army, judiciary, politics, bureaucracy and media. “We are proud that we have some contribution in the development of the society, region and the country,” he said.

The institution, which has separate buildings for girls and boys, currently has a strength of over 4,200 students and around 140 highly qualified teachers, besides 55 members of support staff.

Even this year, the institution upheld its brilliant record. Students from PSC grabbed all the top positions in the examinations of Matric, FSc and BSc which were held under federal board of education.

“I am convinced that it is one of the best institutions of the country. I say this with conviction as I have had some sort of association with many institutions of the big cities in the past,” said Masood Ahmad, a former student of PSC who is currently working as a senior official in a renowned NGO. Ahmad has also enrolled all of his three children in the school.

Until 1980, the year PSC was setup, G-B only had institutions that were run under the federal government and the quality of education was not their top priority. The deficiency, however, was somewhat managed with the launch of PSC, the first public school of G-B that started classes under the administration of Pakistan Army.

Mir Karamatullah, a Lieutenant Colonel at that time, was the first principal of PSC who set guidelines for the nascent school that has now transformed into one of the country’s most prestigious institutions. When the school started in 1980, it had 240 students, while majority of the teachers were hired from cities to fill in the deficiency in the region.

Spreading over 100 kanals, the school has a beautiful building with over 104 classrooms, three computer labs, eight science labs and one library with over 20,000 books. The teachers are paid as per government policy. The place also has on-campus accommodation.

“Despite all of this, currently the school management is striving hard to have the government support increased, as the rising prices of everything merit some sort of a financial support for the institution,” added another official

PM Discussed with Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, to take up Pak-Tajik connectivity project with Afghan President-

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said that he would take up the Pakistan-Tajikistan road project with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during the forthcoming SAARC Summit to be held in Maldives next month. The Prime Minister was talking to Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah, who called on him at Prime Minister House here. He said that the completion of project would provide the shortest possible route to the people of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, besides reinvigorating their historical, cultural and trade ties spread over hundreds of years.

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The road project as visualized will connect Pakistan with Tajikistan by passing through eight kilometer long Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said the project was compatible with the agenda of SAARC Summit which is called “Connectivity”.

The Prime Minister said it was his vision to develop good relations with the countries of region.
“I visited a number of countries like Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, India, Iran, China and other c

ountries of the Central Asian Republics to further my vision,” he said.
The Prime Minister the said connectivity was intertwined with transit trade and Pakistan was keen to enhance trade with Afghanistan and beyond.

Recalling the signing of Transit Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said the trade among the countries of region had to be enhanced for which establishment of road and rail networks was essential.

The Prime Minister said he would highlight the cause of connectivity at the SAARC Summit because it would not only build bridges among people of the member countries but also create an enabling environment for their socio-economic development.

The Governor of Gilgit Baltistan told the Prime Minister that the construction of road on Pakistan’s side would require Rs. 2 billion, while Tajikistan had already completed the construction of road and bridge on its side of border.  He said that he recently traveled to Tajikistan via old route to meet his relatives and friends there.

Decision to impose tax in Gilgit-Baltistan deferred

GILGIT (ET): The federal government has deferred a decision on levy of corporate tax in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on the request of G-B government.

“The prime minister has accepted the request of G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah for delay in enforcement of the tax,” a source said.

“In a meeting, Shah pressed the prime minister to award G-B’s share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award before imposing the tax,” the source said, adding Gilani assured the chief minister that G-B would be given its share in NFC in due course of time and with necessary amendments in the Constitution.

“Shah then requested the prime minister to defer imposition of the tax by the time NFC issue is settled,” the source said, adding the prime minister accepted the request.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government had earlier announced that it would impose corporate tax on all such businesses whose income is over Rs0.3 million. It had also decided to bring the employees earning more than Rs50,000 per month into the tax net to give a boost to revenues of the government.

However, the decision triggered a fierce reaction from the region as not only nationalist parties but also politicians within Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) opposed it, terming it a conspiracy against PPP’s government.

G-B Finance Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar was one of the politicians who openly resisted the tax, saying it was a ploy to defame the government. Nationalist leaders including Nawaz Naji, a lawmaker, argued that taxing G-B was illegal, since the region was not constitutionally Pakistan’s fifth province.

According to G-B Public Accounts Committee Chairman Muhammad Ibrahim, the G-B government could generate nearly Rs10 billion from the tax on the corporate sector, registered firms, corporations and salaried class.

Pakistan welcomes enhancement of investment for China-Pakistan Railway network

BEIJING, Oct 10 (APP): Pakistan welcomes, the State Council, or  China’s Cabinet decisions to increase investment in major infrastructure facilities construction projects in the two economic zones in Xinjiang, including the construction of the China-Kyrghyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the China-Pakistan railway.  “We welcome this decision by the State Council. It reflects the vision of the leadership of the two countries to enhance connectivity between China and Pakistan” said Ambassador Masood Khan here Monday. He said “a rail link between our two countries will shorten distances and create new transportation, trade and energy corridors.”

Khan pointed out that some ground work has already been done in this regard. The State Council’s timely decision, he said gives a fresh impetus to establish closer rail link between two countries.

The enhanced transportation links between Pakistan and China will launch modern silk routes passing through the adjoining territories of China and Pakistan.
The decision for the setting up infrastructure including laying a  railway network had been taken when the State Council recently unveiled guidelines giving more support to the construction of two economic development zones in the western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region bordering various countries including Pakistan.
According to guidelines released on the central government’s website,  the State Council will adopt measures such as fiscal subsidies and tax preferences to facilitate the construction of the Kashgar and Korgas economicdevelopment zones located in western and southern Xinjiang.
The central government will work to develop the two zones into new avenues of economic growth in Xinjiang and grow the cities of Kashgar and Yining as regional hubs for China’s opening up to central, southern and western Asian countries as well as eastern Europe.

According to the guidelines, the central government will offer a  certain amount of financial subsidies every year to the development of the two economic zones from 2011 to 2015, exempt qualified enterprises from business income taxes for five years, subsidize fixed-asset investment and offer government loans to qualified companies at discounted rates.

Qualified farm products processing enterprises and other  labor-intensive companies will have discounts in paying their power consumption and transportation fees.

All Weather Flights for Gilgit; Pakistan Seeks Chinese Help

GILGIT (ET): The federal government wants to seek Chinese help for making two of Gilgit-Baltistan’s (G-B) airports ‘all weather’ to guarantee uninterrupted flights in the mountainous region, sources said on Saturday.

“The airports in Gilgit and Skardu will be upgraded, enabling aircraft to land and take off in all weathers,” sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

The tourism industry in G-B has suffered immensely over the years due to frequent flights cancellation to the region, famous among foreign and national tourists for its breathtaking beauty and majestic mountains. Tourism is also a major source of income for the population in G-B and enhanced airports would play an instrumental role in expanding the industry.

The journey from Islamabad to Gilgit via the Karakoram Highway (KKH) became almost inaccessible after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, which left the KKH damaged. The previous 14-hour journey from Islamabad to Gilgit has now stretched to 24 hours, as bumpy roads continue irking tourists.

Currently the only air transport available to G-B are ATR aircraft of the Pakistan International Airline (PIA), with only two scheduled flights per day, however turbulent weather cause cancellations on a regular basis.

GB Council approves Rs. 482.665 million budget, 2011-12

ISLAMABAD, Oct 7 (APP): Gilgit Baltistan Council, which met here at the Prime Minister House on Friday and presided over by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in his capacity as Chairman of the Council, unanimously approved the budget of GB Council for the fiscal year 2011-2012. The budget estimates consist of Rs. 482.665 million for the Financial Year 2011-12. According to the budget documents, non-tax revenues are Rs.  280 million, with capital receipts at 0.200 million, development expenditures at Rs. 180 million and non-development expenditures at Rs. 302.665 million, making total expenditure to the extent of Rs.  482.665 million.

Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani administered oath to three Advisors to Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan Council at a ceremony held at the PM House on Friday. The Advisors who took oath are Professor Ghulam Hussain, Ibadat Ali, and Atta Ullha Khan Shahab.

Soon after the oath taking ceremony, Prime Minister Gilani, while addressing the second session of Gilgit-Baltistan Council, congratulated the advisors to Chairman, Gilgit-Baltistan Council, on taking oath of office.
He hoped that the Advisors would discharge their responsibilities with complete sincerity.
The Prime Minister said that political and administrative autonomy was a long standing demand of the people of GiIgit Baltistan.
“It is democracy only that resolves people’s age-old problems by addressing their grievances and accommodating their demands. The government of Pakistan and People’s Party has done what the political party having two-third majority in parliament could not do,” he stated.
“Restoration of Constitution to its original form, devolution of powers under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to the federating units, 7th NFC Award, the renaming of NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009, introduction of amendments in FCR and Extension of Political Parties Act in FATA, are some of the historic initiatives with far-reaching implications,” the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister said that the political history of the region bore witness to the fact that all landmark developments that led to attainment of autonomy took place during the governments of Pakistan People’s Party.

The first major reform in the form of Northern Areas Council Legal Framework Order 1974-75 was promulgated by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, implying introduction of major administrative, judicial and political changes, he added.

The Prime Minister said that it was during the government of Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto that the Northern Areas Legal Framework Order 1994 was promulgated.

The final culmination of the process came about when the present government issued Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009, giving people political, legislative and administrative autonomy in line with the manifesto of PPP, he added.
The Prime Minister maintained that the Gilgit-Baltistan Council was performing its responsibilities in an upbeat manner by providing complete institutional support to the Council to work out policies aimed at achieving welfare of people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Gilani said that the Gilgit-Baltistan Government was fully autonomous in running its affairs.

He said that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had their own Governor, Chief Minister and an Assembly with powers to legislate on scores of subjects. They had their own judiciary with their Supreme Appellate Court having original jurisdiction, he added.
The Prime Minister said that Gilgit-Baltistan had vast potential in the areas of power generation, tourism, mines and mineral and other areas.
The mega Hydro-power projects such as Diamer-Basha Dam were extremely vital to our energy and food security and its role in bringing prosperity to the people of the area hardly needs to be emphasized, he added.

The Prime Minister announced that the present Government also planned to initiate work on Bunji Dam which is projected to have power generation capacity of 11000 MW.

He said that the overall size of ongoing ADP (Annual Development Programme) projects in Gilgit-Baltistan—comprising 563 schemes—was about Rs. 52.3 billion.
Projects worth Rs 13.2 billion are being funded through Federal PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme), he said, adding, for the current financial year an allocation of Rs 6.076 billion has been made for Gilgit-Baltistan Government over and above the PSDP allocation of Rs. 1.58 billion. The Prime Minister as the Chairman of GB Council prorogued the 2nd session of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council.

Those who attended the meeting included Vice Chairman Gilgit Baltistan Council and Governor Gilgit Baltistan, Pir Karam Ali Shah, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah, Minister for Science and Technology, Mir Changez Khan Jamali, MNA and Member GB Council, Farahnaz Ispahani, MNA and Member GB Council, Aftab Shaban Mirani, MNA and Member GB Council, Muhammad Tariq Tarar, MNA and Member GB Council, Sherry Rehman, MNA and Member GB Council, Engr Usman Khan Tarkai, Member GB Council, Prof Ghulam Hussain Saleem, Member GB Council, Muhammad Ibrahim, Member GB Council, Amjad Hussain, Member GB Council, Saeed Afzal, Member GB Council, Attaullah Khan, Speaker, GB Legislative Assembly, Wazir Baig, Deputy Speaker GB Legislative Assembly, Jamil Ahmed, Minister for Finance Gilgit Baltistan, Muhammad Ali Akhtar and senior official of Gilgit Baltistan Council.