Legislating in G-B: Corporation status for tourism, mineral sector

G-B assembly set to legislate on tourism and mineral deposits.

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) assembly is set to legislate on tourism and mineral deposits as the G-B Council has finalised its recommendations for awarding both the sectors the status of corporations, sources said on Wednesday.

An electricity board will be instituted for the power sector, sources added. “The managing committee of the G-B Council has discussed and prepared its recommendations. The laws will be incorporated soon,” said a provincial government official. “Various laws dealing with minerals and tourism in other provinces are being studied by authorities in G-B, with an aim to replicate successful models in the region,” he said, adding the bills are expected to be passed from the assembly easily, as legislators do not have specialised knowledge on the subjects.

The legislation is expected to increase revenue collection through institution of rules and regulations for tourists, individuals and corporations visiting, or investing in, the region. The laws in place in Balochistan could be extended to G-B, suggested a member of the G-B Council Mohammad Ibrahim. With their implementation, the region is expected to make much progress in development, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2011.