There is a need to explore the area of great significance.
ACROSS THE LINE BY ERSHAD MAHMUD
Notwithstanding the constitutional and political wrangling, many socio-economic developments are taking place in Gilgit. Gilgit city is getting more modernized and developed as new roads, buildings, mobile phone companies, etc., become common place. The Korakorum Highway has truly transformed the lives of the people living in these areas. Sharing his personal experience, the President of the Northern Areas Chamber of Commerce and a prominent trader Haji Mohammad Hussain says, “Until 1984, I myself used to wear plastic-made shoes and spend the whole day standing in queue to obtain rationed sugar and a canister of ghee. I started a business on small scale when trade was opened with China through the Korakorum Highway. Today, I run a big business and each year do business worth millions of rupees.”
One can single out several persons who have become millionaires in recent times, mainly because of trade with China. Wood selling to the urban areas of the country is also one of the major income generation sources. The credit for this economic turn-around also goes to the Aga Khan Foundation and many other non-governmental organizations that have launched many income generation projects for the local people. A great number of lucrative jobs have been created for the local educated people.
Ismailimail 