GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan minister for information and tourism Sadia Danish has said that the ongoing political unrest in the country has badly affected tourism industry of the region.

Talking to mediapersons here on Monday, she said that GB economy depended on tourism as thousands of people were associated with the industry to earn their livelihoods, but the current political instability had caused a decline in number of tourists visiting the region.

The minister said that many a local and foreign tourist had cancelled their visit to the region in the wake of the political impasse due to the continued sit-ins of PAT and PTI in Islamabad.

Sadia Dansih said that tourism department of GB had to cancel the scheduled Silk Route International

Festival which was to be held on September 10 due to the ongoing political turmoil.

She said that representatives of 30 countries had been invited to the festival.

She pointed out that labourers, tour operators, porters, transporters and hotel owners had been facing economic difficulties due to decline in tourists to the region.

The minister blamed the wrong polices of PML-N government and non-political approach of Imaran Khan, and Tahirul Qadri for deepening crisis. She said that democracy in Pakistan was at stake while the country’s economy was taking brunt of the turmoil.

She urged the government and protesting parties to initiate dialogue to resolve issues peacefully

The minister also condemned attack on PTV Centre in Islamabad and said that independence of media was vital for strengthening of democracy.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd , 2014