GILGIT:The ten-days Winter Sports Festival 2025 organized by the Department of Tourism and Culture, Gilgit Baltistan will continue until January 25, with colorful closing ceremonies at Skardu.Watch live sports online
This was announced by Secretary of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Zameer Abbas along with Director of Tourism Iqbal Hussain while talking to the media here Friday. He told that the festival features various winter sports including ice hockey, cultural programs and stalls showcasing local cuisine.
The Secretary highlighted that winter sports events have been organized in Gilgit-Baltistan for several years to promote winter tourism, foster inter-regional harmony and showcase the region’s rich culture. He added that the Tourism Department was actively working through various programs to position Gilgit-Baltistan as a prominent tourist destination both nationally and internationally.
He said as a result of these efforts, Gilgit-Baltistan has been included in the list of top global tourist destinations for 2025, which is a significant achievement for the region.
The Secretary expressed optimism that this year will witness a record number of tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan, which will not only boost foreign exchange earnings but also improve the local economy. He further announced that alongside the polo final in Shandur, other sports events will also be organized to provide opportunities for local athletes to showcase their talent. The current winter sports program, he emphasized is part of the government’s broader initiative to promote tourism and strengthen the region’s economy.
Earlier, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah, foreign ambassadors and business leaders declared Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as essential for the promotion of tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan and also to explore the new potential of indigenous culture of Pakistan.
On this occasion, they said that Gilgit Balitsan is the Jewels of Pakistan, where there is full potential of all major forms of tourism including traditional, agricultural, medical and cultural tourism, which can attract the foreign tourists with its unique indigenous culture and real heritage of Pakistan.
Meanwhile addressing the Pre- Tourism summit session and luncheon hosted, by President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah said that the promotion of tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan is the top priority of the provincial government and Islam Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken an pivotal step in the Gilgit-Baltistan region by organizing the Tourism Summit.
Governor GB said that Islamabad Chamber of Commerce President Ahsan Bakhtavari is a young and dynamic business leader whose efforts for this region of GB will always be remembered.He said that last year a direct flight started from Dubai to Pakistan, which should now also start from China, Iran, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states.
