The inauguration of the Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road just a few days after it began receiving international flights is a welcome move as it will boost tourism in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region. The facility’s upgrade from a domestic to an international airport would transform the lives of the locals as an increased number of tourists mean increased business activity in the region and an upgraded standard of life.
The 167-kilometre Jaglot-Skardu road, especially, will be a key role player in boosting tourism in the scenic mountainous region. Being the main strategic road in the region, it will make travel to and within the region easier and safer as it connects GB with the Karakoram Highway at Jaglot.
The GB is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world, but we could not benefit enough from this asset due to the bad infrastructure and lack of vision of previous rulers. Prime Minister Imran Khan, however, has lived up to his promises of working towards improving tourism in the country and we must give the credit where its due.
Tourism is a very profitable industry all over the world and if Pakistan continues to work towards developing this sector, it can generate substantial income all year long that will not only help the country prosper but also improve the lives of the locals. It is high time that rulers paid heed to the tourism potential in the country and reap its benefits. Religious tourism for one has great potential in Pakistan. The up-gradation of the Kartarpur corridor is a step forward in this regard.
The people of the GB region would be the prime beneficiaries of the surge in tourism in the area. They will no longer have to venture to other cities to seek jobs or livelihood, rather, the people from other parts of the country would come to their area to find jobs and do business. This elevation of the poor and uplifting of neglected areas will also help Pakistan develop and prosper economically.
Tourism plans should not be left to the northern areas as Pakistan’s other parts have also the potential to be tourists’ hotbeds. In this regard, the chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh have shown interest. What they need is to expedite the ongoing work on new sites and make them functional. The post-coronavirus world is looking for new tourist destinations.
