Economic zones should be in Gilgit, Hunza: Governor

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

GILGIT: Governor Gilgit – Baltistan (G-B) Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan on Wednesday said economic zones should be constructed in Gilgit and Hunza as the two districts are likely to be affected the most in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor [CPEC].

“The CPEC will pass through 200 kms in Hunza and a large chunck in Gilgit. Therefore people of these districts shouldn’t get dust and noise only,” said the governor in his first media-talk since assuming his office last week.

The governor said addressing power crisis in the region will be his first priority.

“I will go for power generation first, it will help poor make their livelihood,” said Mir Ghazanfar who replaced federal minister for G-B and Kashmir affairs Barjees Tahir, becoming sixth governor of G-B.

“Attabad Lake could be the most feasible project to produce cost effective electricity in short period of time,” said the governor who during general (retired) Pervez Musharraf government served for five years as region’s chief executive, a position later upgraded as chief minister in 2009.

Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, also called Mir of Hunza for being a progeny of former ruler of Hunza state, said if G-B gets power, the poor people in the region will be able to run their businesses and feed their families.

The governor said G-B should pay attention to export its products including fruit and vegetables like potato to China. “So far we have been importing goods from China and now its time we should also pay attention to exporting our products to China also.”

He said the G-B has immense potential for tourism and the opportunity can be tapped by providing more facilities to tourists. “This time around Hunza ran out of space due to influx of tourists and people accommodated them in the houses as guests. This shouldn’t be the case, we must have hotels to accommodate tourists.”

He said a plan was under consideration to make a tourist resort at Attabad to attract tourism.

The governor said the government should provide soft loans to individuals to enable them to invest in tourism sector.

The governor, who enjoys family terms with PM, said the G-B would benefit a lot if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif introduces him with Chinese government formally.

About share of Hunza in the China Pakistan economic corridor, governor said at least one economic zone should be constructed in Hunza and another in Gilgit as both these districts offer more land for the corridor.