Ms. Maria Akbar, a prominent tourism and hospitality expert from Gilgit-Baltistan and Head of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Baltistan, Skardu, has been appointed as a Private Member of the Governing Body of the Pakistan Tourism Development Endowment Fund (PTDEF), Government of Pakistan.

Her appointment was formally notified by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) on August 13, 2026, for a three-year term.

This prestigious appointment is a significant recognition of tourism academia and professional expertise in national policymaking. Ms. Maria Akbar is expected to contribute her expertise in tourism development, human resource capacity building, destination management, and sustainable tourism growth across Pakistan.

Vice Chancellor University of Baltistan, Skardu, Prof. Dr. Masood Akhtar, congratulated Ms. Maria Akbar on her prestigious appointment and said that her selection for the federal tourism governing body is a matter of great pride for the University and Gilgit-Baltistan. He expressed the hope that she would effectively represent the region’s tourism potential at the national level and contribute towards developing sustainable, inclusive, and professionally driven tourism policies for Pakistan.

The appointment is a proud achievement for Gilgit-Baltistan and the University of Baltistan, Skardu, reflecting the region’s growing contribution to Pakistan’s tourism and hospitality sector and its role in shaping the country’s future tourism policies and strategies.

Congratulations to Ms. Maria Akbar on this prestigious national appointment!