Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated a newly constructed model village in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, aimed at providing permanent housing for families displaced by the catastrophic 2022 floods.
The project, designed as a sustainable solution for the Bubar village community, offers modern homes featuring two bedrooms, solar power, water supply, and road connectivity, built over 110 kanals of land. During the inauguration, the Prime Minister presented allotment certificates to several beneficiaries, marking a significant achievement in the region’s post-flood rehabilitation efforts.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress, PM Sharif emphasized the need for third-party validation to ensure the project’s integrity and directed immediate construction of essential facilities, including a school, dispensary, and playground. He underscored the dispensary’s role in providing critical services like maternity care, ultrasound, and X-ray facilities.
The Prime Minister, wearing a traditional Gilgit cap, also highlighted the importance of installing chimneys in all homes to safeguard residents’ health during winter. He tasked Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui with overseeing school construction personally.
Recalling his 2022 visit to the flood-ravaged area, PM Sharif spoke about Qandeel, a local girl who survived the disaster, and her father. The Prime Minister announced that the endowment fund established for her has grown to Rs6.7 million to support her education and future.
He praised Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and local administration for their role in the project and also unveiled a plaque for the upcoming Gilgit-Shandur Road, expected to cut travel time between Gilgit and Shandur from eight hours to three, enhancing connectivity in the region.
Community members expressed deep gratitude to the Prime Minister and officials for their efforts in rebuilding and uplifting the area. PM Sharif was accompanied by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Attaullah Tarar, and Amir Muqam during the visit.
