The package will be used for the uplifting of the area over the next five years
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a 370 billion rupees package for Gilgit Baltistan which will be delivered over the next five years. The amount will be used for different kinds of developments in the GB. The PM, who was accompanied by Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Kashmir Affairs Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, SAPMs Dr. Sania Nishtar, and Zulfiqar Bukhari, announced the package while visiting Gilgit.
Khan said that the development package will be used in different fields including hydel power generation and transmission projects, connectivity projects for tourism, youth skill and scholarship program, up-gradation of the health system,s and water and sanitation projects. The prime minister also added that support will be provided to the small and medium enterprises in the area along with focusing on the expansion of its infrastructure. He said it will be our effort to enable the Gilgit airport to receive international flights.
“This 370 billion rupees package for five years is just a beginning. We will be assisting you more as you require. As per my prediction, if you properly take care of tourism, you will no more need money from center rather we will seek funds from you. You cannot imagine as how blessed you are,” the prime minister said.
Imran believes that the region has great potential for tourism and it can be the main source of earning for the people of GB. He said that countries like Switzerland are earning billions of dollars a year through tourism and the same can be acheived in the Northern parts of the country.
Gilgit Baltistan is full of natural raw beauty. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the region each year. Many of those are foreigners as well. Improvement in infrastructure and enough facilities for tourism are needed in order to attract more tourists. With better roads and facilities, GB can become Asia’s top tourist destination.