ASTORE:Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has decided to establish the Diamer Development Authority to ensure transparency, effective monitoring and timely completion of development projects in the district.
Chairing a high-level meeting here on Tuesday on the proposed authority, the chief minister received a briefing from the Diamer-Astore Division commissioner and the Diamer deputy commissioner on its proposed mandate and recommendations.
He said the authority would oversee provincial government projects under Community-Based Mitigation Measures (CBMs) and monitor the quality and pace of WAPDA-funded projects to ensure their timely and transparent execution.
Expressing concern over the lack of tangible results from CBM initiatives, he said the affected people of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam had yet to receive the expected benefits, while no major project had been completed to serve as a practical example of progress.
He said major initiatives, including a Safe City project, water supply schemes and a sewerage system, were being planned under CBMs, making an effective monitoring mechanism essential.
The chief minister said elected representatives from Diamer would be part of the authority’s board, which would identify development projects in consultation with dam-affected communities. WAPDA would also be required to consult the board on projects being executed under CBMs.
He said technical staff and relevant experts would be drawn from government departments, while the authority’s notification would be issued after approval of the recommendations by the provincial cabinet.
The chief minister also announced plans to establish district and divisional development authorities to strengthen oversight and ensure timely completion of public welfare projects, particularly in remote areas. Representatives of the Planning and Development Department would also be included in district development authorities.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating development, ensuring transparency and delivering project benefits to the public within stipulated timelines.
The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary (development), Diamer-Astore Division commissioner, Diamer deputy commissioner and senior officials of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.