Inaugurates world’s highest altitude airport in Skardu
SKARDU: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday has said that no country can flourish without the development of its backward areas. Addressing a public gathering at Municipal Stadium Skardu, the premier said that the progress of underdeveloped areas is first priority of his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Several steps have been taken in order to bring at par areas such as Gilgit Baltistan, tribal districts, South Balochistan, Interior Sindh and those in Punjab at par with the developed ones, he added.
Referring to the inauguration of Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road, the PM expressed the confidence that both international and domestic tourists will pour into this region because of enhanced connectivity. He was confident that overseas Pakistanis will be the first ones to visit the region to spend their summer vacations. He said this will provide livelihood opportunities to the local people of Gilgit Baltistan. Imran Khan mentioned that tourism can become a big asset for Pakistan. He pointed out that Switzerland. which is half the size of Gilgit Balochistan, is earning seventy billion dollars from tourism. He said given the unparalled beauty of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan can also earn about thirty to forty billion dollars from tourism in this region. He said there is also great scope of religious tourism in other parts of the country.
Turning to the issue of price hike, the Prime Minister said it is an international phenomenon. He however said the government is starting from today Ehsaas Rashan scheme under which each household earning less than fifty thousand rupees a month will be provided thirty percent subsidy on wheat-flour, ghee and pulses. He said our health insurance scheme has covered the whole population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the same is being launched in Punjab from next month.
He said the health cards will also be provided to the people of Gilgit Baltistan under which they will be able to avail medical treatment worth one million rupees from the public or private hospitals. The PM said we have also launched Kamyab Pakistan initiative to uplift the underprivileged segments of the society. He said this program envisages interest free loans and technical training for one member of every deserving household.
Prime Minister Khan also inaugurated Thursday the world’s highest altitude Skardu International Airport and the Jaglot-Skardu strategic road. The upgradation of Skardu airport and the construction of the road are part of the government’s initiative to promote tourism and economic growth in the scenic region. Located at an altitude of over 7,000 feet, Skardu airport is listed among the world’s highest altitude airports. Its main runway is 12,000-feet long while the second runway 8,500-feet long.