KARACHI (Baang News): On the recommendation of Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain and under the special directives of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh held their first formal meeting to discuss cooperation in public-private partnership projects, resource enhancement through a Revenue Board, and housing initiatives for families whose homes were destroyed in last year’s floods.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Chief Secretary Sindh, and other relevant officials. Representing the Gilgit-Baltistan Government were Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, the Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, and the concerned provincial secretaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that, in line with the special directives of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Sindh Government would extend special cooperation to the Gilgit-Baltistan Government in public-private partnerships, health, education, housing, and other sectors.
He directed the formation of working groups to oversee the construction of 196 houses for the flood-affected families of Tali Das and Badswat, promote investment through public-private partnerships, establish a Special Economic Zone, and operationalise the Revenue Authority. He also instructed the relevant officials to visit Gilgit-Baltistan without delay.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain thanked the Sindh Chief Minister and his team for their willingness to support Gilgit-Baltistan in various sectors. He said the region has significant hydropower potential and that attracting investors through public-private partnerships remains one of the government’s priorities.
He added that the Gilgit-Baltistan Government is committed to improving the health and education sectors and to operationalising the Revenue Authority to enhance resource generation. He also emphasised that activating the Economic Zone and promoting economic activities are essential for the region’s development.
The Chief Minister directed the relevant secretaries to immediately coordinate with their counterparts in the Sindh Government to advance the agenda of mutual cooperation.
During the meeting, officials from the Sindh Housing Authority, the Public-Private Partnership Board, and the Sindh Revenue Board delivered detailed briefings. In light of these presentations, work will soon begin on establishing and operationalising similar institutions in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision to hold a review meeting in two weeks under the chairmanship of both Chief Ministers to assess progress across the agreed areas of cooperation.
