KARACHI: Pakistan’s finance chief Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday urged the northern Gilgit-Baltistan administration to promote package tourism, particularly targeting visitors from Gulf countries, while enforcing environmental safeguards to protect the fragile mountain ecosystem during the monsoon season.
Aurangzeb made the remarks during a meeting with Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan at the Finance Division in Islamabad.
Gilgit-Baltistan, home to some of the world’s tallest peaks, is one of Pakistan’s top tourism destinations, drawing local and international visitors to its dramatic landscapes and welcoming culture. Despite its appeal, the region remains prone to glacial lake outburst floods and hill torrents that damage infrastructure and homes.
According to official statistics, 41 people died there in the monsoon season that began in late June this year.
“The Minister emphasized responsible investment with strict adherence to building regulations and environmental laws, particularly in the areas of waste and water management to preserve the local ecosystem,” the Finance Division said in a statement after the meeting.
