The president of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), Mian Zahid Hussain, has demanded that government take immediate and concrete measures to safeguard the natural beauty of the Gilgit Baltistan region.
He said that the government should provide easy and modern access to the tourist attraction points of the areas' beautiful lakes, valleys and meadows, so that tourism industry can flourish in the area. Talking to the business community, he said Gilgit Baltistan holds attraction for tourists from across the globe.
Gilgit serves as a major junction along the Silk Road for China, Skardu, Chitral, and Islamabad. The economy of the region is primarily based on the historic Silk Road.
The China Trade Organization forum led by the people of the area to learn modern trade techniques from its Chinese neighbour Xinjiang. chamber of commerce and the Sust dry port in Gojal Hunza are playing a vital role in the economic development of Gilgit.
He said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's call for construction of the 682-kilometres-long Khunjerab Railway, which will serve Gilgit. A special economic zone in Gilgit-Baltistan will be constructed on 250 acres of land in minerals, livestock breeding, handicrafts and wood-related trades have been marked as potential industries.
Keeping the paramount importance of Gilgit-Baltistan in making the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the government had decided to declare the area a free trade zone, due to which the city's economy will be developed and will help in developing the national economy.
There are various opportunities for investors in the city which will flourish after the launch of CPEC, he said. Peace has been restored due to various sacrifices given by Pakistan's Armed Forces and civilians, which has improved tourism in the country. At this moment, allowing an arrival visa to 24 countries including US, UK and China is very timely and important and will not only help in tourism growth in Pakistan but will also open new avenues for foreign investment.
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