Two-day long Karakorum International Mountain film festival begun in Gilgit on Wednesday.
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz said tourism sector is flourishing in Gilgit Baltistan with the passage of time.
He said 1.6 million including domestic and foreign tourists paid visit to the area last year.
He awarded Life Achievement awards to the renowned mountaineers of GB Amir Mehdi, Ashraf Aman, Razab Shah and Hasan Sadpara which were received by their heirs.
He also lauded famous mountaineers Samina Baig, Mirza Ali and others stakeholders for arranging first-ever festival and assured his full support for the promotion of tourism and sports activities.