Gilgit: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain on Monday met Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tim Kane and discussed challenges confronting the region, ongoing reforms and avenues for enhanced cooperation in various sectors.
Welcoming the Australian High Commissioner to Gilgit-Baltistan, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the impacts of climate change, saying that the region was home to around 800 glaciers and their rapid melting was contributing to an increase in GLOF and flash flood incidents.
Amjad Hussain briefed the Australian envoy on the government’s initiatives for glacier protection and research, including progress towards establishing a ‘Glaciers Protection Authority’.
He said Gilgit-Baltistan offered vast opportunities in tourism, agriculture, minerals and dairy sectors. He added that work was underway on the ‘One Village, One Product’ model to promote the rural economy, while one-window facilities were being provided to facilitate investment in the gemstones industry and attract foreign investment.
The Chief Minister said the provincial government was also in contact with the federal government for construction of an international airport in Gilgit following the establishment of the international airport in Skardu.
He sought enhanced cooperation from the Australian government in modern technology, education, scholarships and women’s empowerment.
The Chief Minister also requested Australian cooperation in the search for an Australian mountaineer who went missing on K2 in 2022, assuring that all available resources would be utilized for the search.
Australian High Commissioner Tim Kane appreciated the initiatives taken by the GB government in the fields of agriculture and education and assured full cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
He also appreciated the initiative to establish the Glaciers Protection Authority and reiterated the commitment to further strengthen cooperation in Pakistan’s agriculture and education sectors.
