GILGIT: Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of Investment, and Communications, Aleem Khan, on Friday proposed the imposition of a toll tax on tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan.
The minister made this proposal during a meeting with Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan in Islamabad. The discussion focused on the role of the National Highway Authority (NHA) in the region, the expansion of transport networks, and overall infrastructure improvement.
Aleem Khan said a feasibility study worth Rs15 billion had been submitted to the Planning Commission for making the Jaglot-Skardu Road safer for travelers and tourists. He said the feasibility study recommends necessary measures to secure nine critical locations along the route. He assured that the approval of the feasibility study from Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) would be ensured at the earliest.
The federal minister assured that steps would be taken to ensure payments of compensation to affectees of the Karakoram Highway expansion project.
Aleem Khan highlighted that Gilgit-Baltistan was prime attraction for tourism and emphasized that the development of Gilgit-Baltistan was vital for over overall prosperity of Pakistan. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to enhancing the region’s road network through the NHA.
The minister noted that thousands of tourists visit Gilgit-Baltistan every year, significantly contributing to the local economy. In this regard, he proposed introducing a toll tax for tourists, saying that the revenue generated would be used to improve the region’s road infrastructure. However, he clarified that local residents of Gilgit-Baltistan would be exempt from the toll tax.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan appreciated the federal minister’s developmental initiatives and assured full cooperation between his government and the NHA to support the region’s progress.