Gilgit-Baltistan District Reports Nearly 55,000 Out-of-School Children

In Diamer district, there are approximately 55,000 children who are not attending school, stated the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Amjad Hussain, during a visit to Chilas. Addressing a public gathering, he highlighted the education gap as one of the region's most pressing issues. Hussain proposed integrating home-based schools into the public education system to enhance access for children residing in remote valleys.

He characterized Diamer as the most underdeveloped district within Gilgit-Baltistan and acknowledged previous inefficiencies in resource utilization. The chief minister assured greater transparency and accountability in upcoming development projects. Additionally, he announced the creation of the Diamer Development Authority to expedite development initiatives and ensure their advantages reach local communities.

The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) will undertake sewerage, water supply, and Safe City projects, with the provincial government vowing stringent supervision. In the healthcare sector, orders have been issued to recruit more than 50 doctors under the Special Pay Scale. The Regional Headquarters Hospital in Chilas will also see upgrades to address staffing deficiencies and operational deficits.

Furthermore, the chief minister announced that 500 police positions would be reserved exclusively for residents of Diamer. He also mentioned that WAPDA has announced an additional 400 jobs for individuals from the locality.