ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb here on Tuesday said that better security measures during the last three years have flourished the tourism sector of Pakistan.
Addressing the gathering at oath taking ceremony of newly elected members of Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), she urged the businessmen to keep the business interests aside while promoting tourism of the country.
Senator Talha Mehmood administered the oath to newly elected members while MNA Ghazi Gulab Jamal Orakzai was also present on the occasion.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that terrorism has badly affected the tourism sector; the efforts of federal and provincial governments have paved the way to enhance international tourism activities in the country.
Talking about the domestic tourism she said that during the last three years present government have worked to uplift domestic tourism, private sector have to come forward to attract local tourists.
Everything government cannot do at its own, unless private sector come forward and play its due role, the Minister said.
She also highlighted the steps being taken by the provincial governments for the up-gradation and protection of national heritage and archaeological sites. She was confident that multi billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor project will also help promote tourism.
The Minister pointed out that the cultural and physical diversity makes Pakistan a hot spot for tourism and all the stakeholders especially the private sector will have to come forward to exploit the potential and project a soft image of the country.
The minister said that the national heritage is also being made part of the curriculum in order to acquaint the young generation about the diversity of Pakistani culture.
In connection with 70th Independence Day celebrations, a campaign has also been launched to promote the country’s soft image through its heritage and true values, she said.
APP/Ahsan/mka/ VNS Islamabad
