GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan on Friday claimed that flights would be operated fromKarachi and Lahore to Skardu to facilitate the tourists visiting the region.

Replying questions of the opposition members in the ongoing GB Assembly’s pre-budget session, he added that international flights would also be started from Skardu airport to facilitate the foreign tourists.

The minister said the GB government had started a home-stay project to resolve the accommodation problem of tourists.

“Under the project loans will be provided to the locals to set up additional rooms in 150 homes,” he added.

The tourism minister informed the house that Babusar Pass road would be opened to traffic before Eidul Fitr. He said it had been decided to lease out the motels of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in GB.

The minister said 50 per cent of the revenue generated from these motels would go to the regional government and the rest would be utilised for tourism development.

He also said the tourism industry would be developed to create jobs for the locals, including women.

In a separate development, Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday visited the GB Scouts Headquarters in Gilgit, where a contingent presented him guard of honour.

GB Scouts director general Ziaur Rehman and other senior officials were also present.

On the occasion, Mr Ahmed appreciated the role of GB Scouts in maintaining peace in the region.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2021