Gilgit Baltistan

Lavish tourist resort to be built in Gilgit-Baltistan

Estimated cost for the project is Rs450 million in which boating service will also be offered

Shabbir Mir September 16, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

GILGIT: A day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Rs27.5 billion road project at Attabad Lake, the Gilgit–Baltistan government announced it is going to construct a resort to boost tourism in the region.

“We have planned to construct a state-of-the-art tourist resort near the lake to help tourism flourish,” Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman said on Tuesday. The design for the premises is ready, he told The Express Tribune.

The resort, which will cost Rs450 million approximately, will be located near the highway inaugurated by the PM on Monday.

Read: Preserving and promoting heritage: City of saints to turn tourist hub

The CM said the tourist resort will have facilities like boat services as well.

Encouraged by the record increase in tourism this summer, the CM said the G-B government has decided to rank hotels as per the facilities they offer and will also fix rates according to the ranking.

“I apologise for not providing facilities to tourists this year. However, we ensure they will have a much better experience next year.”

New war chest

PM Sharif has increased the amount of funds available for G-B CM, which will enable him to implement development projects of up to Rs750 million in the region.

“Previously the G-B CM had powers to implement projects worth up to Rs400 million only,” said Rehman talking to the media at his office
on Monday.

Read: G-B hopes to put Deosai on tourist's radars with three-day cultural festival

The decision was made by Nawaz Sharif on Monday after he was briefed by Hafeezur Rahman about the issues the regional government is facing.

“The low ceiling used to cause delays in projects that cost more than Rs40 million. executive committee of the National Economic Council was the forum that decided the fate of the suggested project,” he said, adding the decision will help speed up the construction of infrastructure and other ventures in G-B.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (8)

sad | 9 years ago | Reply The sad but true fact is that domestic tourism will destroy the pristine natural beauty in GB. Be prepared for chips wrappers and coke bottles strewn everywhere. We Pakistani's simply have no sense of conservation and preservation. Even Islamabad's Margallah Hills National Park has seen the same fate. Attabad lake will go the way of Saif-ul-Mulook, and that is a depressing prospect indeed.

Woz Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply @US CENTCOM: Ali, do you really think it is right for a government that can't provide clean water, basic healthcare or basic education ,to be building a luxury tourist resort ? Adult literacy has fallen from 50% to 48% and you think this is the way to go ? Power shortage is crippling industry as well hurting residential homes and you think this is a priority ? I agree GB is beautiful, but IMF wants us to privatise state industry, moving into the hotel sector seems to be opposite to what they are proposing, as you are representing US CENTCOM, what's your view ?

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Omar | 9 years ago | Reply great initiative...leading the way for lots to follow in future

US CENTCOM | 9 years ago | Reply Great news. The resort should attract even more tourists to the area. Gilgit-Baltistan is simply beautiful, and those who never been should add it to must see places. Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

Sharath Chandra | 9 years ago | Reply It will used and reserved only to politicians.

Usman | 9 years ago | Reply @Punjab: Completely agree, govt.'s function is to build schools, health facilities and basic infrastructure, not tourist resorts. How will the GB govt. control the tons of pollution these tourists will bring eg.?

Paki | 9 years ago | Reply at-least they thought about making one. though massive kickbacks would be involved, none the less, it WOULD BE a tourist attraction.

Punjab | 9 years ago | Reply @ CM If you only focus on maintenance of infrastructure and law n order that would be great. Private sector will come forward and invest in hotels n all, Please don't waste your energy and Govt resources.

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