ISLAMABAD – Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali AminGandapur says GB has world’s best tourism attractions with beautifulwaterfalls, 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 potentialof Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Minister said an MoU will soon be signed with leading internationalcompanies to develop eight lakes in the first phase.

He said, in addition to this, a thirty-year plan has been evolved todevelop GB on the patterns of Switzerland.

The Minister said an institution of higher learning will be established toimpart training and education in the tourism sector.

Regarding mineral potential of the area, Ali Amin Gandapur said GilgitBaltistan is amongst six areas of the world which provide 85 percent rawgemstone.

He said international companies will be invited to invest in GB’s gemstonesector, which will generate revenue for the country and create jobs foryouth of the region.

To a question, he said the government believes in empowering the people ofGilgit-Baltistan for greater inclusiveness and enabling them to take theirdecisions at the local level.

Ali Amin Gandapur said a committee has been constituted to addressdeprivation of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, improvement in health andeducation sectors and standard of living.