SKARDU: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday expressed his complete confidence that Gilgit and Baltistan (GB) will be one of the most developed areas in the country in coming times.

?The China-Pak Economic Corridor will develop these areas for centuries to come,? Abbasi said. ?It will provide employment opportunities by way of industrial zones that will be set up in the region.?

The premier claimed that the government has not undertaken any projects in GB with the ulterior motive of establishing his party?s, Pakistan Muslim League ? Nawaz (PML-N), voter base.

?Development work is not undertaken for the mere purpose of securing votes,? the premier said. ?We have planned and executed many projects in GB to resolve the issues of these areas and citizens.?

He said that the former prime minister and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif has given special instructions that all development and infrastructure plans for GB should be completed.

?We have undertaken a few national and domestic projects including the Diamer Bhasha Dam, Dassu Dam, Dassu Project, Skardu and Naltar Hydel Power Projects,? Abbasi said, adding that he was happy about the Baltistan University project as it would benefit the area and its residents for many years to come.

Lashing out at parties that formed their governments in the past, he said six former governments had announced but failed to execute their plans for GB.

?We announced a long list of projects and work has already commenced on many of them,? he said. ?When we came to power in the centre, many people pressured us that the Pakistan Peoples Party?s (PPP) government wasn?t working and it should be destabilised but Nawaz Sharif made it clear that the PML-N won?t initiate any action that is against the spirit of democracy.?

The prime minister also announced that the PML-N has announced a gas project for two cities, Gilgit and Hunza.