Pak govt. yet to pay promised funds to Gilgit Baltistan

Islamabad, Feb.13 (ANI): The Pakistan government is yet to pay the promised five billion rupees to the Gilgit-Baltistan government to run its affairs, officials have said.

It pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government had pledged to give the above mentioned amount to the Gilgit Baltistan administration following the promulgation of the Empowerment and Self-Governance Order in 2009.

"The amount was part of a transition plan so that the new order could be implemented in letter and spirit," a senior administrative official said on conditions of anonymity.

Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah has moved a bill for the provision of 2.5 billion rupees to meet the essential requirements of newly created departments in the region, The Dawn reports.

The official also revealed that non-availability of funds has put extra burden on other departments, which were already facing a financial crunch. (ANI)