ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari called for establishing an all-weather road infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to boost trade, economic and tourism activities in region.

He said that an all-season transport infrastructure, particularly between Gilgit and Skardu, would help ensure continuous and reliable transportation in different weather conditions, besides facilitating goods movement and enhancing connectivity.

Meeting with delegation led by President of PPP Parliamentarians GB, Amjad Hussain Advocate at Aiwan-e-Sadr, delegation apprised President about problems being faced by residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, besides highlighting need to focus on development of health and education infrastructure, mitigating impacts of climate change, promoting tourism and economic activities and providing uninterrupted power supply in GB. President stressed need to accelerate development activities in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying that it was his life’s mission and dream to see GB as a developed and prosperous region. He remarked that constructing all-weather roads and tunnels between Skardu and Gilgit would not only improve logistics and transportation for businesses but would also enhance people’s access to public services such as healthcare, education and employment opportunities. He informed delegation that steps would be taken to establish cardiology hospital and nursing college in GB on priority to provide high-quality health services to people of area at their doorsteps. He said that GB’s hydroelectric potential should be harnessed to fulfil local and national energy requirements.

Delegation apprised President about environmental issues of GB and suggested that promoting afforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, especially plantation of walnut trees, could help save melting glaciers.