PM Shehbaz sets vision to make Pakistan a tourist brand

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday instructed the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) to take immediate and practical steps to promote tourism across the country, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review strategies for boosting Pakistan’s tourism sector, the prime minister emphasised the need for strong coordination between the public and private sectors to facilitate international travellers’ access to the country’s scenic and historic destinations.

The prime minister said special measures should be taken to boost domestic tourism and encourage local tourists to visit recreational sites and planning should be done for long-term investment in the tourism sector.

He said vast potential existed to earn foreign exchange reserves by promoting tourism in the country.

“Allah Almighty has blessed the country with natural resources and timeless beauty,” he said adding that due to snow-covered mountains, forests, rivers, plains, deserts, and other natural assets in the northern areas, our country is in no way less than any other nation when it comes to tourism.

The prime minister further instructed that Pakistan should be introduced abroad as a tourism brand. “With cooperation from the provinces, steps should be taken across the country to promote tourism,” he said, adding that “under the vision for national development, we will make Pakistan one of the leading tourist destinations in the world.”

During the meeting, the prime minister was presented with proposals on how to harness the full potential of Pakistan’s tourism sector. To promote tourism, steps such as the promotion of northern tourist destinations, medical tourism, and other initiatives can be taken, the meeting was informed.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Minister for Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, Minister for National Heritage Aurangzeb Kitchi, advisor to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant Huzaifa Rehman, and senior government officials.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani