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By Naeem Lone
Around Rs. 500 million value of gemstones are extracted annually from Gilgit-Baltistan and efforts are underway to explore other precious minerals.

It has been confirmed that nearly all valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan are shedding gold and base metals but the need is investment to explore them in order to change fate of the area.

As per surveys conducted for gold and base metals carried by Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) and on the basis of Geo-chemical and hard rock samples, around 11 prospect areas confirmed gold value ranging from 0.10 to 24 Parts Per Million (PPM) in hard rock while 5 PPM gold is economical in the world, Tourism and Mineral Department official in GB told APP here Sunday.

The official said a total number of 3947 geo-chemical stream sediment samples were collected from less then one sqkm to 250 sqkm, covering 45,500 sqkm gold anomalies alone counted over 100, ranging in content from 5 PPM to 300 PPM. Around 500 samples were collected from hard rock including river floats and out crops.

A total of 50 samples pertaining to 10 areas conform gold values ranging from 0.10 ppm to 24.0 ppm according to laboratory reports, the official said and added the gold washers still recover gold from placer deposits of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The area is also rich with white colour Marble deposits of Shigar (Skardu), Nasirabad (Hunza) and Gupis (Ghizer) which are considered to be of international standard.

The other gemstones which are extracted from the area include Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Garnet, Fluorite, Pargasite, Spinal, Zircon, Topaz, Berylspar, Corundum, Marganite, Serpentine, Sulpher, Moonstone, Amethyst.

The official said local administration was taking a major policy initiative to expand mineral sector of Gilgit-Baltistan and also encouraging local as well foreign investment in the sector.

Accordingly, many exploration licenses and mining leases have been granted to national and foreign investors and more applications for licenses are under process.

DIAMER, Feb 6 (APP): Chief Minister for Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly Syed Mehdi Shah said Saturday Pakistan and China were enjoying strong and time-tested relations. Talking to APP, he added foolproof security had been provided to China’s engineers and workers who were engaged in renovation work of Karakorum Highway.

He also appealed the people of Gilgit Baltistan to cooperate with Chinese engineers and workers at every stage.
He further said China had always stood with Pakistan at every stage and any forum during critical hour.
He added he would meet Pakistani community staying in China during his visit and discuss their problems if any.

Photos by Zulfiqar Ali Khan

Courtesy of Pamirtimes News Group

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] – an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to support the growth of Small and Medium Organizations (SMOs) and businesses in Pakistan by providing training and skills development to both businessmen and women in the country. 
The IFC and AKF(P), will partner to offer IFC’s Business Edge management training product to Pakistani SMOs and entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses.  Read more

By Asma Jahangir (Chairperson HRCP)

Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is seriously concerned at the plight of the landslide victims in Upper Hunza and calls upon the federal government to expedite its relief efforts.
Hit by landslide on January 4 last, the Gojal Tehsil in Upper Hunza was cut off from Lower Hunza and the rest of the country owing to the obstruction of Karakorum Highway and Hunza River after massive landslide at Atabad. The river turned into a lake with and its water level has been rising ever since. At present, more than 75 households in Gojal are affected. The local people have already cut more than 8000 trees to save them from rotting in the flood water. For the last one month, the local people in Upper Hunza have been facing difficulties in meeting their basic needs as expensive imports from China through Khunjrab are the only source of supplies available.

Although the National Disaster Management Authority has started work to open the road and clear the blockage of the river, the pace of work is too slow. HRCP is of the view that the government needs to expedite the relief work and opening up of the blocked road and river. If the government lacks the technical and human resources in providing a speedy relief, it should seek support from international experts such as Chinese government which is already carrying out construction work in the area. Meanwhile, while the Upper Hunza road links are cut off, HRCP urges the government to make arrangements to provide food items and medicines to the affected people. They should not be left at the mercy of profiteers and hoarders.

Source : http://www.hrcp-web.org/fullstory.asp?id=9

Courtesy : Khunjerab Channels via Youtube

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah called on Minister for Health, Makhdoom Shahabuddin on Saturday and discussed matters pertaining to increased quota of medical students in medical and dental colleges of Punjab. The minister apprised the Chief Minister that the federal government under direction of the Prime Minister has decided to increase the quota of medical students of Gilgit-Baltistan from 34 to 64 in the medical and dental colleges of Punjab.

Lok Virsa intends to invite all other provinces, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan to hold similar festivals in Islamabad for promoting regional culture, said Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid while talking to Daily Times. He said they felt proud to organise this festival successfully. He said Lok Virsa was always open for collaboration to any department, NGO and community-based organisation interested to document, preserve, promote and disseminate their folklores, cultural traditions and regional culture,” he said.

By Karim Imamdad Hunzai ( Senior Editor Hunzatimes ,Paris)

The British Government was the host and main protagonist to organize the International Conference on Afghanistan in London on 28/29 January,2010.The foreign ministers from 70 countries,including USA secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the Secretary General of UNO, Ban-ki Moon and the H.H Karim Aga Khan with other philanthrophists attended this conference.

The London conference on Afghanistan was a crucial effort of the International Community to shape the future of Afghanistan by obtaining peace and security through political reconcilation with Afghan,s Taliban surgents. President Ahmed Karzai presented his strong views in the conference, that the ” reconcilation” is an important pillar to end the 8 years long war and bring a durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. He also appealed to Government of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to play a key role for the reconcilation with Taliban to end the longstanding conflict and political turmoil in Afghanistan.

The International Community has also announced 140 millions USD as financial aid for the reconcilation efforts, those surgents who wants to renounce the violence and willing to integrate in the present democratic process of Afghanistan.The USA secretary of state Hillary Clinton has focused on the issue of reconcilation and integration of insurgents, enticing to come back in a normal life of Afghan society,by also offering jobs, money and protection from the extremists reprisal.This will bring stability and security in Afghanistan. Read more

Courtesy : Khunjerab Channel via Youtube