ISLAMABAD (APP) - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday administered oath to the members of the first Gilgit-Baltistan Council with a pledge to bring its people at par with other provinces of the country. Our endeavour has always been to treat the people of Gilgit-Baltistan at par with other provinces and areas of the country, the prime minister said while addressing the oath-taking ceremony held at the PM House. Gilani said the government had also committed to inject an amount of Rs 15 billion in next five years for the rapid development and progress of Gilgit-Baltistan. He termed 'Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009 as a landmark step to give people of the area their due political and financial rights that had never been allowed before. It has been the sole privilege of the peoples government to give maximum autonomy to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, he said. Premier Gilani assured the members that development funds for the region would be released at the earliest, adding that Diamer Bhasha Dam would not only provide jobs to hundreds and thousands of locals but would also usher in an era of development and prosperity in the region. The prime minister said the establishment of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council would serve as a bridge between the govt of Pakistan and that of Gilgit-Baltistan. The council, established under Article 33 of the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009, comprises its Governor as the vice chairman and its Chief Minister as member along with six elected parliamentarians from Pakistan and an equal number from Gilgit-Baltistan. PM Gilani said it would provide an opportunity to the representatives of Gilgit-Baltistan to gain from the experiences of representatives from Pakistan and to have a better understanding of the issues and problems of constituents. Gilani said the council had been assigned 54 subjects for legislation including important areas of governance. It is now up to the members of the council to ensure transparency, equity, justice, fair play and efficiency, he said. Terming it a big challenge, he hoped that the members would rise to the occasion to provide their selfless services in overcoming this challenge. The prime minister asked the newly elected members to give practical shape to the aspirations of their electorate who have wholeheartedly welcomed the Gilgit-Baltistan Council and the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. He pointed to the fact that the new representatives were in a better position to run the affairs of region in a better manner. Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Wattoo said the empowerment of Gilgit-Baltistan was the outcome of vision of the leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party. He also paid tributes to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani for making it happen. He hoped the Gilgit Baltistan Cabinet would be soon formed and its representatives would be able to serve their people in a befitting manner. Prime Minister Gilani earlier administered oath to the four members of the council while two others, who could not reach Islamabad due to unavailability of flight, would be administered oath later. Governor Dr Shama Khalid and Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah also attended the ceremony. Gilani also hosted a reception in honour of the council members.