GILGIT, Pakistan

Türkiye is one of the world's leading countries in tourism, a top local official in northern Pakistan said on Thursday, expressing willingness for cooperation.

"We are ready for any kind of cooperation with Türkiye on tourism," said Haci Gulbar Khan, chief minister of the Gilgit-Baltistan region, told Anadolu in the city of Gilgit.

Emphasizing potential areas for cooperation between Türkiye and Gilgit-Baltistan in tourism and the dry food sector, Khan, who visited the country last year, called it a "developed" nation.

He expressed a desire to advance tourism activities in Gilgit-Baltistan. "There is no other place in Pakistan with tourism potential as great as Gilgit-Baltistan."

Direct flights from Türkiye 'possible'

Stressing the importance of Türkiye's position in the production and sale of dry foods, Khan said Gilgit-Baltistan could collaborate with Türkiye in the dry food sector with the approval of the central Pakistani government.

He also pointed to an increase in the number of foreign tourists in the city of Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan, mentioning that flights from Dubai there had begun this year.

Khan further noted efforts to open the airport in Gilgit for international flights, which would enable more tourists from Türkiye and other countries to visit the region.

Direct flights from Türkiye to Gilgit-Baltistan are possible, with long-term plans in place for this, he added.

Khan was elected as a lawmaker from the Diamir district in elections in 2020. Previously, he was elected to the legislative body several times from the Jamiat Ulema Islam party since 2009.

He joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in 2020 and served as minister in 2009-2014 and again in 2020-2023.

Gilgit-Baltistan, which borders China, was granted autonomous status and the provision of a legislative assembly in 2009. Previously, it was directly governed by Islamabad.

The region is at the confluence of the world's greatest mountain ranges — the Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindukush, and Pamir.