KARACHI, Oct 27 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday assured Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azad of Sindh government’s full cooperation in improving healthcare facilities, strengthening the revenue system and rebuilding homes for flood-affected families in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between the two chief ministers at CM House, where they discussed various areas of mutual interest and agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation between Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Minister for Home Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Special Assistant Syed Qasim Naveed, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed, Secretary Health Tahir Sangi, and NICVD Professor Dr Asad Bilal.
During the meeting, the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister sought the Sindh government’s assistance in improving the facilities at a cardiac hospital in his province.
Responding to the request, CM Murad directed the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) to extend technical and institutional support for upgrading the hospital and improving cardiac treatment facilities in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He proposed that the Gilgit-Baltistan government sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NICVD to formalise cooperation and establish a framework for the hospital’s upgradation.
The Sindh chief minister said that NICVD would assist in improving cardiac healthcare services in Gilgit-Baltistan, enabling patients to benefit from better treatment facilities.
The two chief ministers also held detailed discussions on the establishment of a Revenue Board in Gilgit-Baltistan and the development of an effective revenue administration system in the region.
CM Murad directed the chairman of the Sindh Revenue Board to extend full assistance to the Gilgit-Baltistan government in this regard.
He said Sindh was ready to share its institutional experience and provide the necessary support to help strengthen revenue administration and improve the effectiveness of the system in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Both sides agreed to promote institutional collaboration and exchange expertise to improve governance and public service delivery.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the reconstruction of houses for families affected by floods in Gilgit-Baltistan.
CM Murad Shah recalled that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had directed the reconstruction of 200 homes for flood-affected families in the region.
He said that a team from Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) had started survey work in coordination with the Gilgit-Baltistan administration to assess the housing needs of affected families.
The Sindh chief minister directed SPHF chief Khalid Shaikh to ensure that house construction work in Gilgit-Baltistan began in January or February.
He emphasised the need for close coordination between the Sindh housing team and the Gilgit-Baltistan administration to complete the preparatory work and move towards implementation without unnecessary delays.
The meeting concluded with an understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two governments in healthcare, revenue administration and housing reconstruction, with Sindh offering institutional support and technical expertise to help address key public service challenges in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
