SKARDU, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday inaugurated the Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road, hoping that both international and domestic tourists will pour into the region because of enhanced connectivity.
While addressing a public gathering at Municipal Stadium in Skardu, the prime minister expressed confidence that Overseas Pakistanis will be the first ones to visit the Gilgit-Baltistan region to spend their summer vacations, adding that it will provide livelihood opportunities to the local people.
Inaugurated Skardu international airport. InshaAllah, this will take mountain tourism to a level where it will bring in foreign exchange for the country & raise the local community’s standard of living. I want to thank the people of Skardu for their generous welcome. pic.twitter.com/wWZG9ziN8C
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 16, 2021
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to uplift the poor lot and backward areas of the Country, the prime minister said that several steps have been taken in order to bring at par areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan, tribal districts, South Balochistan, Interior Sindh, and those in Punjab at par with the developed ones.
Imran Khan mentioned that tourism can become a big asset for Pakistan. He pointed out that Switzerland which is half the size of Gilgit-Balochistan is earning US$ 70 billion from tourism. He said that given the unparalleled beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan can also earn about US$ 30 to 40 billion from tourism in the region.
The prime minister said that there is also a great scope of religious tourism in other parts of the Country.
Further, he said that the Health Cards will also be provided to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan under which they will be able to avail medical treatment worth Rs 1 million from the public or private hospitals.
