Chairing a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for a comprehensive and immediate action plan to boost Pakistan’s tourism industry, citing the country’s immense potential due to its natural beauty, historical heritage, and diverse landscapes. In the meeting focused on promoting tourism, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan is blessed with unparalleled natural resources – from snow-capped mountains, forests, rivers, and deserts to a vast coastal line – giving it a unique and significant place on the global tourism map. He also highlighted Pakistan’s possession of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. To attract both domestic and international tourists, particularly to scenic areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the Prime Minister called for the swift development of high-quality infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and modern recreational facilities. He directed that actionable and quickly executable tourism projects be prioritized, especially in Islamabad, AJK, and GB. He instructed that a strategic plan be developed for the construction of world-class hotels, resorts, entertainment zones, and other tourist amenities in these regions. Additionally, he emphasized that all new developments must consider the impact of climate change. The Prime Minister requested a detailed briefing on activating the National Tourism Coordination Board and was informed by his Tourism Coordinator, Sardar Yasir Ilyas, about proposed initiatives. These include enhancing the influx of foreign tourists, integrating tourism into the GDP, and developing 20 new tourist destinations. Further strategies under development aim to harness the potential of religious and medical tourism. It was also announced that a National Tourism Expo and Investment Conference will soon be held in Islamabad to attract investment in the sector. Recently, a successful Mango Festival 2025 was organized in Multan in collaboration with Nawaz Sharif Agricultural University. The meeting was attended by key federal ministers including Ahad Khan Cheema (Economic Affairs), Shaza Fatima (IT & Telecom), Hanif Abbasi (Railways), Aurangzeb Khichi (National Heritage & Culture), and Rana Sanaullah (Inter-Provincial Coordination Advisor), among others, including senior government officials and tourism stakeholders.
PM Shehbaz calls for rapid development of tourism infrastructure across Pakistan
