SKARDU, June 22: Passengers, including local and foreign tourists, traders and common people, are facing problems as PIA is unable to follow its flight schedule for Northern Areas, especially Skardu.

Tourism is the mainstay of local economy and the main source of employment for area people as thousands of tourists from all over the world visit Northern Areas every year.

Flights to Gilgit and Skardu are subject to weather conditions. Passengers face problems as PIA operates only one Boeing-707 daily but the service is not regular. Some times due to bad weather flights remain suspended for several days which force tourists to cancel their visits, which means huge losses to people related to the tourism industry.

Sources said the government should develop modern landing facilities at Skardu airport so that flights could land here even during unfavourable weather conditions.

Tour operators and common people criticized the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation for not taking any steps for the promotion of tourism in these areas.

Because of irregular flights tourism in the area is greatly suffering. Absence of modern landing system and lack of regular flights to Skardu are the main hurdles in the promotion of tourism in Northern Areas.

WORKSHOP: Due to non-imposition of family laws in Gilgit-Baltistan, area women are facing hardships in getting justice, whereas the local government ordinance 2000 has also not been imposed here and the local government organizations were working under the 1979 ordinance.