GILGIT: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has proposed the introduction of a toll tax for tourists visiting the scenic Gilgit-Baltistan, with a blanket exemption for residents.
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan met the federal minister in Islamabad where they discussed the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) role in Gilgit-Baltistan and expanding communication facilities to improve transportation, according to a press release issued on Friday.
The minister for communications said that the federal government was committed to improving the road network through the NHA, asserting that Gilgit-Baltistan’s development was linked to the country’s prosperity.
With the number of tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan multiplying each year, the federal minister proposed introducing a toll tax to fund road infrastructure development. However, locals should be exempt from this tax, he suggested.
CM Khan praised the federal minister’s development initiatives and expressed his determination to collaborate with the NHA for regional development.
The chief minister discussed the issue of frequent roadblocks on the Baltistan Road and the need for tunnels to ensure travellers’ safety. The federal minister said a Rs15 billion feasibility study was submitted to the Planning Commission to address the issue.
On this occasion, Aleem Khan also assured the chief minister that steps would be taken to pay land compensation to the affected people of Karakoram Highway.Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan government has announced a new ‘fee’ for non-local vehicles.
The GB government termed it an updated fee for non-local vehicles, including motorbikes and private vehicles, entering the region and registration fee for hotel businesses in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the notification, tourists on motorbikes will now pay Rs500 per person, which was previously Rs300. Private vehicles entering the region will now be charged Rs2,000 per vehicle.
A one-time registration fee has been introduced for hotels operated by non-domicile holders of Gilgit-Baltistan, ranging from Rs40,000 for 1-star hotels to Rs250,000 for five-star hotels, along with a periodic renewal fee.
Earlier, the GB government has introduced new entry fees for vehicles and motorcycles entering the region as part of an initiative to regulate tourism and support sustainable development.
A notification issued by the administration outlines the new charges: tourist vehicles will now be subject to a fee of Rs2,000, while motorcycles entering GB will pay Rs500. These fees aim to manage the growing influx of visitors to the scenic region, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and high-altitude destinations.
The revenue generated from these charges will be allocated for maintaining infrastructure, waste management, and preserving the region’s natural beauty. With a surge in tourism putting strain on GB’s roads and facilities, these measures are seen as essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the region’s resources.
In addition to entry fees, the government has revised permit charges for mountaineering and trekking, capitalising on the rising interest in GB’s peaks and trails.
