ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi said that both human as well natural resources were essential for socio-economically prosperity of country. Addressing ‘GB Dream Road Show’, organised by Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government he said that intellect, consistency in policies, avoiding confusion and actively cooperating with each other would enable country to tread path of development.

Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan, GB ministers and others attended.

Dr Alvi said that he always represented Gilgit-Baltistan region as its ambassador for promoting its tourist attractions. Tourists should be facilitated in area and biggest charm of tourism for tourist was easy and shortest possible access to destination, he added.

President Alvi said that GB was rich in natural resources like minerals, gems and fruits. He said using scientific methods for cutting and finishing gems and skills required for such work could be learned in very short period of time.

Highlighting importance of IT skills for GB youth, he said that people with IT skills could earn their livelihood by offering their services in other countries while living in Pakistan through online platforms.

Around 2.4 million people from different academic backgrounds benefitted from Prime Minister’s Digital Skills programme, Digiskills, adding that such programmes could be replicated to provide critical and marketable digital skills to youth and women of country. He said that GB student who got his training from Digiskills programme is earning almost $ 100,000.

President Alvi said that there were enormous opportunities for GB in the field of agriculture as well by using vertical farming and drip farming.

He said that indeed development was not possible without community participation and GB’s people should be fully and actively engaged in promoting development in area.

Khalid Khurshid Khan said that GB had been neglected in past in terms of resource allocation and funds which used to be given were mostly consumed in salary-related expenses.

He said that his government’s focus was on development side, especially improving road connectivity of GB with rest of country through different routes, revamping education sector, boosting agriculture sector to overcome food shortages, improving the health sector and bringing reforms in local government system.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 31 2023

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