GILGIT: The provincial cabinet of Gilgit-Baltistan, chaired by Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, has approved the establishment of 16 new tehsils in the region.
The decision forms part of a broader set of initiatives aimed at enhancing governance, public services, and economic management across the province.
In a major administrative move, the cabinet has decided to digitize the operations of the Health Department, a step intended to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of healthcare services for the citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Similarly, in the education sector, the government has sanctioned the recruitment of additional staff to strengthen educational infrastructure and ensure quality administration in schools and colleges throughout the region.
The cabinet also announced several socio-economic measures to support local communities and regulate economic activities.
These include the registration of the Sonyal tribes to maintain accurate records of local populations, the imposition of taxes on non-local guests staying in major hotels, and the formation of a dedicated committee tasked with reviewing and recommending adjustments to wheat pricing to ensure affordability and prevent sudden market fluctuations.
In matters of land and compensation, the cabinet declared the area surrounding Attabad Lake as public property and approved measures to provide fair compensation to individuals affected by previous developments in the area.
Furthermore, a special committee will be established at the federal level to address and resolve the pressing issues of Gilgit-Baltistan, ensuring that the province’s concerns are effectively represented at the national stage.
Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Rahmat Khaliq, emphasized that the recommendations regarding wheat pricing and hotel taxation would be presented soon, underlining the government’s commitment to balancing economic regulation with public welfare.
These steps reflect a comprehensive approach by the provincial administration to promote development, fairness, and good governance throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.
