Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan while talking to a gathering at Pakistan Pavilion in the Dubai Exhibition 2020 said that the GB govt is all set to make Gilgit-Baltistan a destination for international tourism. He further added that Skardu Airport is being given the status of an international airport and the discussions with the international airlines were also going on to carry foreign tourists to Skardu directly. He also revealed that the work on feasibility is also underway to establish a new airport in Gilgit that would support flights in all weather conditions throughout the year.
The CM Gilgit Baltistan added that over the past few years there has been a tremendous increase in the number of tourists to northern areas and Skardu turned out to be the busiest airport in the country. The tourists from abroad as well as from the length and breadth of the country visited northern areas. Keeping in view the ongoing scenario, The CM added, the government of GB is planning to build new hotels and tourist spots and development of infrastructure in the area so as to facilitate the tourists in the best possible manner.
The current development in the tourism of Gilgit- Baltistan is in line with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan who has taken a personal interest in the development of the northern areas of Pakistan. Earlier this year the premier had announced a development package worth Rs 370 billion for what he said for development in actual terms for the region. The PM had said that there was a great need for a package like this for the uplift of Gilgit and Baltistan especially to promote tourism in the area. The expansion of infrastructure and expansion of airports especially Skardu Airport which would entertain international flights, the PM had said, was an important part of the package. He had also said that the real potential of the regional development laid in the promotion of tourism.
Out of the package, Rs 140 billion were allocated for projects related to electricity in the region, Rs 35 billion were allocated for road projects, and Rs 6 billion for the promotion of tourism in the area. The current government, as per the vision of the Prime Minister, has already defined its direction by taking all possible measures to provide a neat and clean environment in the country especially in the tourist spots like Murree, Galiat, Azad Kashmir, and northern areas.
