Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a meeting in Islamabad on development and promotion of tourism in the Country, at which it was apprised that Integrated Tourism Zones are being established to promote tourism while simultaneously ensuring eco-tourism, biodiversity and natural beauty of tourist resorts.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, the Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) Haroon Sharif, the Punjab Minister for Tourism Yasir Humayun, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Tourism Atif Khan, and the Secretary Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rashid Mehmood Langrial.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed about new initiatives being taken to promote tourism in the Country.
It was apprised that as many as 11 Integrated Tourism Zones are being set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and eight Zones are being established in Punjab to promote tourism in the Country.
•Integrated Tourism Zones are being developed at places like Gabeen Jabba, Swat, (elevation 9,200 ft,) Mankyal, Swat (8,700ft), Bayon, Swat (11,000 ft), Bir Mughlasht, Chitral (9,000 ft), Golain, Chitral (10,400), Qaqlasht, Chitral (7,500 ft), Burwai, Naran (10,000 ft) and Mahaban, Buner (6,600 ft).
The prime minister was also briefed in detail about the draft of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act 2019. He was told that internationally successful models are being followed for promoting tourism.
In remarks, the prime minister said that the private sector will play a leading role in development of tourism while the government will provide an enabling environment and will act as a facilitator.
The prime minister said that new initiatives being undertaken under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act 2019 to facilitate tourists and tap huge existing potential in the tourism sector. He said that tourism is exploding in Pakistan.
Imran Khan directed that a comprehensive website be launched immediately identifying all newly Tourist zones being set up and providing detailed information about these placed to the local as well as foreign tourists.