Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday highlighted the country’s potential for increased tourism; stating that a higher number of foreign traveler visitations would not only strengthen the economy but also create enhanced revenue opportunities for the local population, a news source reported. Khan made these remarks while chairing a meeting on the promotion of environment-friendly tourism in the country ; geared to deliberate upon the promotion of tourism in Khyber Pakhunkhwa, Punjab, and the coastal areas of the country, as well as the general preservation and renovation of historical buildings in the northern areas – under what the government has titled the ‘Master Vision Plan’.
The premier further directed the authorities concerned to formulate an advance policy, along with taking the necessary measures, to facilitate the provision of essential facilities to tourists on their arrival in the locations mentioned within the coming months – keeping in view the areas’ environmental and cultural considerations.
Additionally, he placed a six-week time limit on the completion of a
‘Master Vision Plan’ aimed
at promoting tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan, and the country’s coastal areas. This
framework is further intended to raise the volume of
foreign investments in the tourism sector and eventually contribute towards increased infrastructural development in the country.
During the session, the PM directed the KP chief secretary to complete the rehabilitation work of government rest houses in the province – and to hand them over to the private sector for the promotion of local tourism.
The officials informed Khan that the work of ‘zoning about tourism’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been completed; with the developmental work in three Gilgit-Baltistan zones (Ghizar, Astore and Shigar) having been specifically concluded. He was further told that help was being sought from the Agha Khan Foundation for the protection and renovation of old ‘heritage’ buildings for tourism purposes.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the PM on Environment Malik Amin Aslam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Special Assistant to the PM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chief Secretary KP, as well as several senior officials and experts from the construction sector.
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