Gilgit: The tourism industry in Gilgit-Baltistan is facing a downturn due to Pakistan’s discriminatory policies.
Durdana Sher, a local resident said, “This is the peak time of the year for tourists to visit this place. Unfortunately, this area suffers from a lack of infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads and a hotel that was run by PTDC (Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation) but was closed down two years ago”.
Poor road connectivity, lack of accommodation, and communication facilities are troubling the domestic and foreign tourists who are flocking to the illegally occupied Gilgit-Baltistan region in the peak season.
It’s quite ironic that even after being the hub of hydropower generation, the region suffers long and persistent power outages.
Hidayat Ali, another local resident said, “We can see that we are having snowfall here. It is wonderful for vegetation, but this is a hilly area, so after the heavy snowfall, the temperature drops and there is a water shortage. We have very little electricity after a lot of snowfalls in this area, little access to wood throughout the winter, and rising LPG prices”.
Unfortunately, poor roads, unavailability of the internet, and lack of electricity have only turned Gilgit Baltistan into a neglected, backward, and poor region of South Asia. (ANI)
