ISLAMABAD - Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur says GB has world's best tourism attractions with beautiful waterfalls, lakes, meadows, deserts, and skiing resorts.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan's Correspondent Ijaz Hussain, he said government is committed to develop the untapped tourism potential of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Minister said an MoU will soon be signed with leading international companies to develop eight lakes in the first phase.
He said, in addition to this, a thirty-year plan has been evolved to develop GB on the patterns of Switzerland.
The Minister said an institution of higher learning will be established to impart training and education in the tourism sector.
Regarding mineral potential of the area, Ali Amin Gandapur said Gilgit Baltistan is amongst six areas of the world which provide 85 percent raw gemstone.
He said international companies will be invited to invest in GB's gemstone sector, which will generate revenue for the country and create jobs for youth of the region.
To a question, he said the government believes in empowering the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for greater inclusiveness and enabling them to take their decisions at the local level.
Ali Amin Gandapur said a committee has been constituted to address deprivation of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, improvement in health and education sectors and standard of living.