GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid has expressed his dissatisfaction over the region’s budget share in the federal budget.

He was chairing the Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet meeting, which was attended by administrative secretaries, ministers, adviser to chief minister, chief secretary and the inspector general of police.

Chief Minister Khurshid said development and regular budget for GB had not been increased in the current federal budget.

He said the federal government was trying to economically paralyse the region’s government which was not acceptable.

“The GB government will face difficulties in paying the salaries of employees and running the government machinery,” he added.

The chief minister further said the GB government had communicated the federal government that a reasonable increase be made in the regular and development budget of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Mr Khurshid warned that if their demands were not accepted, an all parties conference would be convened to decide a strategy to stage protest against the federal government.

He said the protest would be initiated against the centre for its discriminatory policies against GB.

He said the Supreme Court would be approached to formulate a financial formula for Gilgit-Baltistan.

The GB cabinet meeting approved Gilgit-Baltistan Hotels, Motels, Camping Sites, Guest Houses, Huts and Restaurant Rules 2022, Gilgit-Baltistan Tourist Guide Rules 2022, Gilgit-Baltistan Tour Operators and Travel Agents Rules 2022 and the Department of Tourist Services ( (DTS) Rules.

The cabinet meeting decided to amend the GB Rules of Business 2009 to give autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.

It also gave a go-ahead to the establishment of the Directorate of Health Services for Gilgit Division.

The meeting also approved the establishment of a separate wing in the Gilgit-Baltistan Police under the name of Special Protection Unit, provision of Rs30 million to GB High Court Bar Association and funds for the establishment of digital library.

The cabinet decided to present the recommendations prepared by Gilgit-Baltistan food department to the special parliamentary committee in GB assembly regarding bringing prices of wheat to a reasonable level on the demand of federal government.

It also decided to lift ban on lease of minerals to promote economic activities and ensure proper use of resources.

The provincial cabinet consented to increasing the grant-in-aid amount for Cadet College Chilas.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2023