Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has pledged to utilise the province’s resources to promote tourism and showcase its historical, cultural and natural heritage at the international level.
In her message on World Tourism Day, the chief minister said Pakistan was blessed with immense tourism potential, while Punjab’s historical sites, cultural heritage and natural landscapes offered significant attractions for visitors from around the world.
Maryam welcomed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s decision to designate Lahore as the tourism and cultural capital for the year, saying Punjab’s areas of natural beauty were comparable with tourist destinations in developed countries.
She said the provincial government was taking sustainable measures to promote religious tourism, adding that ancient forts, religious sites and scenic valleys offered considerable opportunities for tourism development.
The chief minister said the proposed Murree Glass Train would provide a new attraction for tourists, while roads including Murree Mall Road were being constructed and expanded. She added that Kotli Sattian was also emerging as a new tourist destination.
Maryam said the government was committed to projecting a positive image of Pakistan internationally through tourism and showcasing the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
She said tourism development could create new employment opportunities, strengthen local economies and provide economic opportunities to young people and local communities.
The chief minister added that tourist destinations across Punjab were being upgraded through modern facilities and reconstruction, while efforts were underway to introduce the province’s tourism sites to international visitors.
She said promoting Punjab’s historical, cultural and tourism heritage remained among the government’s priorities and could play an important role in strengthening the province’s economy and cultural identity.
