Gilgit, July 16: Secretary Tourism, Sports & Culture Gilgit-Baltistan, Sardar Asad Haroon, accompanied by his team, presented a departmental briefing to the newly elected Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Amjad Hussain Azar, on the department's performance, ongoing initiatives, and future plans.
The Chief Minister underscored Gilgit-Baltistan's immense tourism potential and reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing the region as a world-class tourist destination. He directed the Tourism Department to implement strategic measures to attract domestic and international tourists and enhance the sector's contribution to the provincial economy.
Emphasizing institutional reforms, the Chief Minister ordered the digitalization of the Tourism Department to improve transparency, governance, and service delivery across the province.
To ensure safe and uninterrupted travel for tourists, he directed the relevant authorities to initiate legislation restricting protests and sit-ins on major highways, including the Karakoram Highway, Jaglot-Skardu Road, and Gilgit-Ghizer Expressway. Deputy Commissioners have also been instructed to designate specific locations for public demonstrations.
The Chief Minister further directed the department to expedite the recruitment of vacant positions in line with the provincial government's policy to strengthen institutional capacity.
To promote tourism, culture, and sports, he proposed organizing a Lok Virsa-style cultural festival in Gilgit and directed the department to host flagship events such as Tour de Khunjerab, the Sarfaranga Rally in consultation with local communities, and Independence Day celebrations across all districts. He also emphasized promoting winter tourism through inter-provincial and inter-district sporting events and supporting local poets, writers, intellectuals, and artists through dedicated cultural programs.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism development, the Chief Minister called for legislation to discourage unplanned hotel construction and directed that all polo grounds in Gilgit-Baltistan be preserved as cultural heritage sites.
To further enhance tourist safety and facilitate seamless travel, he also directed the installation of modern scanning systems at all provincial entry and exit points, including airports.
The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan remains committed to strengthening the tourism sector through institutional reforms, digital transformation, and sustainable tourism initiatives, positioning Gilgit-Baltistan as a premier tourist destination on the global map.
16 July, 2026
11:15:57 PM
325
