Chairman Message
A Living Legacy
Arif Aslam Khan
Arif Aslam Khan, the eldest son of Brigadier (R) Muhammad Aslam Khan, stands as the custodian of Shangrila Resort Skardu—a guardian of a legacy built on vision, resilience, and service to Pakistan.
Following the passing of his parents, whose final resting place overlooks the Resort from the hilltop they cherished, he assumed the responsibility of preserving and advancing the dream they brought to life on the shores of Lower Kachura Lake. With profound personal commitment and an unwavering sense of duty, he has dedicated himself to sustaining Shangrila not merely as a destination, but as a symbol of continuity, heritage, and national pride.
Under his stewardship, Shangrila has remained a pioneer of tourism in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. At a time when access to Skardu was limited and infrastructure was minimal, Arif Aslam Khan actively advocated for enhanced connectivity and broader access to the Northern Areas.
In 1987, he played a pivotal role in facilitating the introduction of the first Boeing 737 flight to Skardu, coinciding with the induction of new aircraft into Pakistan International Airlines. This marked a transformative step in linking Skardu to the rest of the country.
In June 2015, he further supported the launch of the Airbus A320 inaugural flight to Skardu, a milestone that significantly strengthened tourism promotion and improved air access to the region. His continued efforts helped expand operations from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad—laying the groundwork for Skardu’s emergence as an international destination.
He also contributed to the vision and development of what is today known as Skardu International Airport—imagining it as a regional aviation hub capable of connecting Central Asia, China, Nepal, and Dubai within a two-hour flying radius. This strategic outlook opened the region to a wider spectrum of travelers and catalyzed the growth of hospitality and tourism infrastructure across the north.
In 1999, Arif Aslam Khan served as Chairman of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), where he championed Pakistan’s natural and cultural heritage on a national platform. His leadership emphasized eco-tourism, sustainability, and community-driven growth—anchored in the belief that tourism is a powerful instrument of economic progress, international goodwill, and social upliftment.
