Gilgit City [POGB], Former Chief Minister of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (POGB) Hafizur Rehman on Tuesday expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the management of expenses of the current administration after the budget allocation for the year 2024-2025, as have been reported. A local news outlet of the PoGB.
During the press conference, Rahman said, "There is no clarification on how the administration wants to spend the PKR 68 billion budget. No new departments are being created, and there are no major plans for infrastructural development. Then the government How does it plan to utilize this substantial budget?"
“The administration has not given any response regarding this budget allocation.Will it be used as fuel for VIPs, salaries for newly created administrative and special posts, or unfulfilled promises of better infrastructure? There is no clarity on how taxpayers' money will be spent, and hence, the government should make its spending plans public," Rehman said.
According to a POGB news report, Rahman also raised concerns about safety and security in the area, saying, "Apart from infrastructure, there are significant security lapses in POGB. Administrative negligence leads to incidents of loss of life, such as Absent CCTV surveillance, making the administration accountable if criminals escape without leaving evidence, medical facilities also need to be improved, and we demand adequate funds for the Gilgit Baltistan Health Endowment Fund, which is in the POGB. The salary increase that could generate profits to increase medical services is being requested, which has not been addressed."
“Despite the PoGB's capacity to generate at least 184 MW of power, load shedding remains a persistent problem.Mismanagement of energy projects causes severe power outages during heatwaves. This pattern repeats itself: Projects get enough funding, are abandoned and then neglected, leaving them worthless," he added.
During the press conference, Rahman said, "There is no clarification on how the administration wants to spend the PKR 68 billion budget. No new departments are being created, and there are no major plans for infrastructural development. Then the government How does it plan to utilize this substantial budget?"
“The administration has not given any response regarding this budget allocation.Will it be used as fuel for VIPs, salaries for newly created administrative and special posts, or unfulfilled promises of better infrastructure? There is no clarity on how taxpayers' money will be spent, and hence, the government should make its spending plans public," Rehman said.
According to a POGB news report, Rahman also raised concerns about safety and security in the area, saying, "Apart from infrastructure, there are significant security lapses in POGB. Administrative negligence leads to incidents of loss of life, such as Absent CCTV surveillance, making the administration accountable if criminals escape without leaving evidence, medical facilities also need to be improved, and we demand adequate funds for the Gilgit Baltistan Health Endowment Fund, which is in the POGB. The salary increase that could generate profits to increase medical services is being requested, which has not been addressed."
“Despite the PoGB's capacity to generate at least 184 MW of power, load shedding remains a persistent problem.Mismanagement of energy projects causes severe power outages during heatwaves. This pattern repeats itself: Projects get enough funding, are abandoned and then neglected, leaving them worthless," he added.
