Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan Criticizes Slow Development in Diamer
Several districts in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) are suffering due to significant underdevelopment and slow construction of infrastructure projects. PoGB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed strong dissatisfaction over the slow-paced construction in Diamer.
Statements from the Chief Minister
During a visit to a hospital in Diamer, Khan stated, “The development in Diamer is slow-paced and weak. Close to no development has taken place in Diamer over the years. The person at fault in this case is the Chief Engineer of PoGB and they must be held accountable for these actions. I believe that some locals are also involved in such cases.”
He further added, “I had to witness it myself to believe it. The construction of this hospital in Chilas has been continuing for around seven years. And this project is in Chilas, the centre of the Diamer district. If the construction pace is so bad in Diamer’s centre, what can we expect from the Darel, Tangir and Khandbari districts which lie on the outskirts of PoGB, what will be the condition of government dispensaries in those districts? This is not acceptable at all.”
Challenges Faced by Residents
Several valleys in PoGB, including Pahot Valley, are grappling with severe shortages of basic facilities such as schools, roads, and electricity. Despite being a popular tourist destination, Pahot Valley continues to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, including the absence of hospitals and unreliable electricity.
Residents have expressed their frustrations with the Pakistani government. One resident stated, “The government is doing nothing for our valley. We haven’t seen any officials here, and we haven’t received any assistance from the local government.”
Another resident added, “It has become very difficult for us to afford even one meal a day. They are even cutting down our forests. We don’t understand why this is happening. Nothing is being done for us, and when we speak out about deforestation, we are threatened with imprisonment by government officials. We fear retaliation. Look at our conditions: there is no dispensary, and the roads are in poor shape. The lack of proper roads creates numerous problems for us.”
The absence of proper roads has had dire consequences, including fatalities. Residents report that many people have died due to inadequate access to medical facilities.
Doubts Revealed
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in the northern part of Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
Chief Minister -: A Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state or region. They are responsible for making important decisions and managing the administration.
Haji Gulbar Khan -: Haji Gulbar Khan is the current Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. He is a political leader in that region.
Diamer -: Diamer is a district in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is one of the areas where people are facing problems due to slow development.
Chief Engineer -: A Chief Engineer is a senior engineer responsible for overseeing construction and maintenance projects. In this context, the Chief Engineer is being criticized for not doing the work fast enough.
PoGB -: PoGB stands for People of Gilgit-Baltistan. It refers to the residents living in that region.
Pahot Valley -: Pahot Valley is a specific area within Gilgit-Baltistan. The people living there are also facing issues due to lack of development.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure includes basic facilities like roads, schools, and electricity. These are important for people to live comfortably and safely.
Fatalities -: Fatalities mean deaths. In this context, it refers to people dying because of the lack of proper infrastructure.
