ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari on Wednesday said the present government is making concerted efforts to showcase Pakistan as a land of peace and splendour through promoting tourism sector.
Bukhari, who also holds the office of Chairman National Tourism Coordination Board, was speaking at the webinar titled “Pakistan’s Tourism Potential” held at NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS). The event brought to fore the crucial propellers of strength and harmony in the tourism sector of Pakistan and also highlighted importance of discovering connections of our local approaches and experiences with the world-class Turkish ideals of tourism advancement. In his key note address, Zulfiqar Bukhari said development of tourism industry was one of the top priorities of the government.
The recent initiatives, such as the launch of “Brand Pakistan,” consist of brand identity development and an e-portal for a one-click overview of our tourist sites, he said. He also elaborated upon his plans and extended gratitude to the Pakistani diaspora for their valued contribution in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Pakistan, Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul highlighted the value of Pakistan and Turkey’s unconditional support for each other. The Ambassador in his key note address said Pak-Turkey unconditional support provided a perfect case for the improvement of tourism-based interaction between the two friendly countries.
Director General Walled City of Lahore, Kamran Lashari laid emphasis on preserving cultural heritage of Pakistan along with the values of tolerance and open-mindedness, and on promoting tourism by packaging and presenting this treasure to the world. Director at Landmark Pakistan, Mr. Ali Naqi Hamdani spoke on the role of digital media in tourism in Pakistan. He posited that to promote tourism it would be pertinent to support industries and provide vital segments of economy with strong local and global linkages.
In his welcome remarks, Rector NUST, Lt Gen Naweed Zaman, HI (M), (Retd) said in the contemporary world, tourism forms an essential component both of national and regional growth and development frameworks. He was of the view that although COVID-19 has hit global tourism, it is heartening to see that the government was taking keen interest in tapping potential of the industry. He also highlighted NUST’s contribution in promoting educational tourism under its flagship NUST Internship Programme for International Students (NIPIS).
President Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Kaleem Saadat, Chairman PIA Air Marshal (Retd) Arshad Malik, CEO Serena Hotels South and Central Asia Mr Aziz Boolani, President Alpine Club Mr Abu Zafar Sadiq, Founder of Hunerkada and former DG PNCA Mr Jamal Shah, and former Chairman of Lok Virsa Mr Uxi Mufti also attended the webinar. Senior officials from the Tourism Departments of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, senior office-holders of the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), tourism experts, media persons, scholars, NUST faculty and students were also part of this activity.
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