The tourism industry can play a vital role in the socio-economic uplift of a country. Its promotion not only creates new jobs for the people but also earns a lot of foreign exchange for the country.

It is due to these facts that tourism has gained tremendous significance all over the world. The OIC countries while realizing its importance also held a Tourism Ministers conference at Tehran a few years back in which a joint strategy for exploitation of tourism potential of Muslim countries was stressed.

Almighty Allah has blessed Pakistan with numerous tourism potential. It is a country with a variety of climate, high mountains, snowcapped peaks, green and fertile plains, forests, valleys, deserts, beautiful lakes and rivers.

Pakistan also inherits a rich cultural and religious heritage of Indus valley civilization, Gandhara civilization and Mogul era architecture which could prove a great source of attraction for foreign tourists.

The present government is well aware of the importance of tourism industry as its promotion would generate socio-economic activities in various parts particularly far-flung and under developed areas of the country. That is why the government is focusing on providing communication and holding facilities to the places and areas of tourism importance, so that tourists could have easy access to these places.

After the 9/11 incident, tourism in Pakistan also received a setback but now it is gradually moving ahead due to the strong measures of the government. A few years back “Karakuram Car Rally” was held from Islamabad to Sust (Northern Areas), besides an international tourism conference was held at Hunza which helped a lot to unveil the tourism potential of Pakistan, especially its Northern Areas to foreigners as well as to erase the negative propaganda about Pakistan abroad.

The participants from abroad, especially those from Singapore, France and Denmark, admitted that what they saw here was totally different from what they have been hearing about Pakistan. They appreciated the friendly environment and hospitability of the people of Pakistan. They announced at Hunza that they would convey the truth to their countrymen about the tourist-friendly environment in Pakistan.

To help the tourists get immediate information about Pakistan, the government has set up modern Tourist Information Centers (TICS) at Airports. Besides, the government has also relaxed visa policy for foreign tourists.

The Deputy Commissioners of Northern Areas have been empowered to extend visas of tourists by three months on their own, without referring to the Interior Ministry.

The government has also announced 50 percent reduction in royalty fee for climbing to different peaks with a height of over 6,500 meters during the year 2005. Due to these government measures, foreign tourism in Pakistan improved in 2003 compared to 2001 and 2002 which saw setbacks due to 9/11 incidents and negative travel advisories issued by number of tourists generating countries.

In the year 2003, Pakistan hosted 501,000 foreign tourists as compared to 498,100 in 2002, thus registering an increase of 0.6 percent. In the year 2004 a total of 648,000 foreign tourists were hosted. The country earned $135.6 million in the year 2003 as compared to S 105.4 million in year 2002. In the year 2004 $185.6 million was earned. Besides, the industry provided jobs to 3,64,320 people, particularly those belonging to far-flung areas not-suited for industrial development.

The top ten tourists generating countries that contributed 76 percent of total foreign tourists arrival during the year include UK, Afghanistan, USA, Germany, Canada, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Iran and India. The government is working on a comprehensive tourism policy that is expected to be formulated soon.

But to sell the industry’s potential, media people need to play an important role in highlighting the tourism.

Touristic Marvels

Pakistan historically is one of the most ancient lands known to man, is a citadel of more than half a dozen civilizations. Ranging from Indus Valley Civilization (2500-BC), Arian Civilization (500-BC), Hindu Civilization, Persian Civilization (600-BC) to Greek Civilization (327-BC) and Muslim civilization (712-AD). The excavations of Mehrgarh (Balochistan), Moenjodaro, Harappa, Kot Diji, and Taxila have proved beyond any doubt that advanced civilizations existed here even before the Babylon was built.

For the people having a love for history, anthropology and archaeology, Pakistan offers invaluable opportunity of study. Similarly the people, who have love for marine life, crystal clear sandy beaches and soothing sunshine and pure bue waters, Pakistan has a coastline extending from Karachi to Gwadar.

Karachi, apart from being a big port and the largest city of he country having a population of 10 million, is one of the world’s largest metropolis and bustling trade center. It is also a major entry route whether by sea or air, and its international airport serves as a link for Europe and West Asia to Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It has sunny beaches at Sandspit, Hawkes Bay, Paradise Point and Clifton. Moreover four major tourist sites are located within 60 miles from Karachi — Chaukundi (17 miles) having a cluster of rectangular graves with superb carving and engraving of the sandstone slabs with most attractive and sublime floral motifs and unique designs, Bambhore (40 miles) is in ecological site housing a rich and priceless collection of painted pottery, coins, seals and jewelry, Haliji Lake (52 miles), the largest fowl reserve of Asia and a home of hundreds of thousands of birds migrating from Siberia, a paradise for bird watchers, and zoologists and finally the historical city of Thatta (61 miles) with a vas and specacular necropolis of a million graves and tombs, exquisite specimen of architectural excellence, and stone carvings and glazed tile decorations and floral patterns. Thatta is also famous for Shah Jahan’s morsque with alluring blue tiles and mosaic work par excellence.

Just 15 miles north of Thatta lies another large lake — Manchar Lake with excellent facilities for angling and boating. To the northeast of Karachi at about 102 miles is situated the city of Hyderabad, the second largest city of the province of Sindh and home of famous colorful handicrafts industries like lacquered wood furniture, handloom cloth, block printed traditional Sindhi “Ajrak” shoes, stainless steel utensils and fascinating glass bangles and glazed tiles.

Another tourist attraction in the province of Sindh is the Kirthar National Park — a soothing picturesque bearing for nature lovers, zoologist and researchers. The best season to watch various species of animals in their natural settings and habitat is during winter. Group excursion tours to this part can be arranged through Pakistan Tours Limited. But the most important archaeological site in the province of Sindh is the ancient city of Moenjodaro, 150 miles away from Karachi one of the most important sites of world famous Indus Valley Civilization, designated by UNESCO as “World Heritage.”

It is one of the most spectacular ancient sites of the world (2500-BC) with mud brick and baked brick buildings, an elaborate covered drainage system, a large state granary, a spacious pillared hall, a college of priests, a large and imposing building (perhaps the palace) and a citadel mound incorporating a system of solid burned brick towers.

At the last leg of a prospective excursion tour to the province of Sindh lies the city of Sukkur as an important road and rail link (338 miles northeast of Karachi) to go to either to Quetta (Balochistan) or Lahore (historical and cultural site and capital of the province of Punjab). Sukkur has various Muslim shrines and Hindu temples. Various species of game birds are also found in nearby lakes, canals and green spots. For the prospective travelers, excellent facilities of accommodation especially in Karachi are available, from where excursion trip to the tourist spot in the province of Sindh can be taken.