Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has asked his ministry to ensure that foreigners travelling to Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) do not face unnecessary problems without compromising security.
The ministry backed the issuance of no objection certificate (NOC) to foreigners for travelling to G-B stating that the measure has been in place since 1994.
The interior minister has directed the ministry to simplify the process of issuance of NOC to foreigners, a spokesman from the ministry said in a statement issued the other day.
As per the issued statement, boosting tourism and the people whose livelihood is associated with it in G-B is the government’s priority. However, the security of the tourists must be taken care of, it added.
As per various media reports, the interior ministry banned foreigners from visiting GB without NOC, which is obtainable from the ministry in Islamabad.
A letter recently sent by the ministry to the G-B government revealed that on several occasions, foreigners have been reported to have visited G-B without obtaining an NOC or security clearance from the ministry, which is in violation of the rules.
The letter directed the authorities to ensure measures to stop the practice.
