Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated a series of major development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, focusing on education, energy, and urban infrastructure improvements.
The Prime Minister attended inauguration and foundation stone ceremonies for safe city projects, solar energy initiatives, and new educational institutions during his visit.
As part of the visit, PM Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated safe city projects in Gilgit and Skardu aimed at improving security and modern urban monitoring systems.
He also launched an expansion project to distribute free solar panels in the region, designed to support households facing energy shortages.
During the ceremony, laptops were distributed among students under the Prime Minister Youth Program, aimed at supporting digital learning and education access for young people.
Officials said the distribution was carried out on a merit basis to encourage academic performance.
Foundation stone laid for Danish Schools
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for new Danish Schools in Sultanabad, Astore, Ghanche, and Skardu.
According to the government, these schools are part of efforts to expand access to quality education in remote areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.
PM’s address
Addressing the ceremony, PM Shehbaz Sharif said he was pleased to visit what he called the “most beautiful region of Pakistan” and meet hardworking students.
He emphasized that laptops were not a favor but recognition of students’ hard work and academic performance.
“The laptops were given only on the basis of merit,” he said, adding that merit must remain central in public sector decisions.
The Prime Minister defended the concept of Danish Schools, saying they were established to provide quality education to children from low-income families.
He stated that many criticized the idea when it was first launched in Punjab, but he believed children from poor backgrounds deserved access to higher education opportunities.
“If building Danish schools is a mistake, I will continue making this mistake,” he remarked.
Energy and development plans
PM Shehbaz Sharif also announced that a 100-megawatt power project is expected to be completed in Gilgit-Baltistan by mid-2027.
He further shared that 50,000 applications were received for solar panel distribution through digital balloting, with 15,000 families already selected to receive free systems.
During his speech, the Prime Minister also claimed that Pakistan played a key role in helping reduce tensions in a recent Iran-US conflict.
He said Pakistan’s civil and military leadership worked together through diplomatic contacts to help achieve a ceasefire and later its extension.
