GHULAM ABBAS
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has allocated Rs 32 billion as the development budget for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) in the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26. The allocation comprises a block grant of Rs 22 billion, Rs 10 billion earmarked for ongoing development schemes, and a special package under the Prime Minister’s initiative.
According to official documents, a significant portion of the budget will be directed toward infrastructure, energy, health, and education sectors. As part of the Prime Minister’s package, Rs 4 billion has been allocated. Among energy-related projects, Rs 1 billion has been reserved for the MW Shagarthang Hydropower Project, while another Rs 1 billion is allocated for the 16 MW Naltar-III Power Project. Additionally, Rs 10 million has been designated for the 26 MW HPP Hanzel project in Gilgit.
For road and connectivity improvements, Rs 1 billion will go toward the Darel-Tangir Expressway, while Rs 790 million is set aside for the construction of a road connecting Pissan to Hoper Nagar. A notable allocation of Rs 1.5 billion is planned for the development of the Inter-Provincial Connectivity Economic Corridor passing through Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), particularly the Thalichi GB–Shounter AJK section. Another Rs 300 million has been allocated for inter-regional connectivity between the Baltistan Division and the Diamer-Astore Division, focusing on the construction and metalling of the road from Gorikot Astore to Shagarthang Skardu.
The health sector will receive focused attention with Rs 1 billion allocated for a new 250-bed hospital in Skardu. A further Rs 300 million is earmarked for the establishment of a 50-bed Cardiac Hospital (Phase-I) in Gilgit, while Rs 500 million has been assigned for upgrading the Regional Headquarters Hospital in Gilgit. Chilas will see the establishment of a 300-bed ICT Mother and Child Hospital, with Rs 300 million allocated for the project.
In the energy and utilities sector, Rs 1.2 billion has been reserved for the establishment of a Regional Grid under GB Phase-I. In terms of educational infrastructure, Rs 300 million will be used for the establishment of a Medical and Nursing College in Gilgit. Rs 1 billion has been allocated for the Sewerage and Sanitation System in Gilgit (Phase-II), while Rs 600 million will go toward the Greater Water Supply Scheme aimed at providing clean water to central Hunza from Attabad Lake. Moreover, Rs 200 million has been allocated for establishing a Mountaineering Institute in Shigar to promote tourism and vocational training in the region.
It is pertinent to note that these allocations are for ongoing projects only, and no new development schemes have been included for Gilgit-Baltistan in the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
