Governor expects 1m tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan

Islamabad

Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman has said that following policies adopted by the PML-N Government, over one million domestic and foreign tourists are expected to turn up in the northern areas of the country during next tourism season.

Talking to ‘The News’ here Thursday, Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman said that he believed in reflecting soft image of the country through promotion of tourism in Gilgit-Baltisan which offers tremendous tourist places and diversified culture.

He pointed out during the last summer season, the inflow of domestic tourists increased from 50,000 to 500,000 which was a record. “Now we expect to receive around one million tourists, this year,” he added.

The GB chief minister maintained that the law and order situation in Gilgit-Baltistan was exemplary, which provides suitable environment for tourism. “As per Global Peace Index, GB region has been declared as 100 per cent peaceful region,” he said.

He pointed out that the northern areas carry religion, cultural and language diversity, which never turns into a disaster.

In order to promote tourism in GB, Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman the government was focusing on development of road infrastructure.

He said that in addition to existing road network including Karakorum Highway and Babusar Road, the federal government plans to take up Rs82 billion project of road link passing through Shauntar Pass from Muzaffarabad to Gilgit.  The government had hired Chinese consultants to carry out feasibility study of the mega project, which if found feasible would be completed in three to four years.

He said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had also been signed between governments of Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan for promotion of tourism and cooperation with each other in this particular field.

Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman appreciated the Jang Media Group for planning Social Sciences Expo-2016 to be held at Pak China Friendship Center Islamabad from February 24 to 26 having theme ‘Social Sciences-Bridging the Socio-Political Divide’. “This will be a good Initiative to highlight crucial role of Social Sciences in human lives,” he said.

The GB chief minister also observed that the Jang Group has also been playing important role in strengthening and continuation of democratic system in the country.