PM Imran Khan forms committee to help Pakistan become fastest-growing tourist destination

[Abdullah719]

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday formed a National Coordination Committee on Tourism (NCCT) to help Pakistan become the fastest-growing tourism destination.

According to a notification, the committee has been formed to raise the competitiveness of the tourism industry and maximise utilization of Pakistan’s natural, cultural, historical, archaeological, religious and geographical tourist assets.

The NCCT has also been formed for employment creation, poverty reduction, sustained economic growth, social inclusion, quality of life improvement, the notification added.

Some of the members of the committee include special assistant to the prime minister on overseas Pakistanis and human resource development, secretary of Ministry of Industries and Production and secretary of Ministry of Interior.

All chief secretaries or additional chief secretaries along with State Bank of Pakistan’s deputy governor, among others are also part of the NCCT.

The notification added that secretarial support to the NCCT would be provided by the Cabinet Division.

“The convener shall brief the Prime Minister fortnightly on impediments, recommendations for improvement and overall progress on implementation of Prime Minister’s guidelines,” the notification stated.

According to the terms of references (TORs), the committee would oversee and review the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy and alignment of provincial or regional policies actions to national tourism strategy.

NCCT would also conduct geo-mapping and profiling of all tourist attractions, hospitality businesses, products and service providers in the country.

It would identify barriers to tourism development with concrete recommendations for their removal to create an enabling environment for the tourism sector to operate competitively and ensure implementation.

The committee would also devise effective regulatory and implementation mechanisms of National Minimum Standards while ensuring its monitoring and coordination with all stakeholders for strict compliance.

It would also promote tourism investment through PPP, SME and access to capital and oversee availability of international standard feasibilities of viable projects.

The committee would also devise and oversee the strategy to encourage affordable domestic tourism and identify viable options to ensure the growth of domestic tourism in a systemic manner.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/226134...an-become-fastest-growing-tourist-destination

 

[MenInG]

Go for it IK!

lets make this happen; With Covid almost eradicated - Pakistan can easily become a good tourism destination - just need to make sure tourists are tested etc

 

[sweep_shot]

Good job, Imran Khan.

Pakistan has plenty of beautiful tourist destinations.

 

[offstump]

So much potential here, with some addition foreign investment there’s opportunity to build mountain resort destinations, skiing destinations, mountain climbing expeditions, etc.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The colours of Gilgit Baltistan just before the onset of winter. One of my favourite places on this earth. <a href="https://t.co/3JGHLdDAEy">pic.twitter.com/3JGHLdDAEy</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1335610359219154945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Hitman]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The colours of Gilgit Baltistan just before the onset of winter. One of my favourite places on this earth. <a href="https://t.co/3JGHLdDAEy">pic.twitter.com/3JGHLdDAEy</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1335610359219154945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Wow, that’s beautiful.

 

[guldozer]

We do not have the relevant infrastructure in place and it will take many years for this to happen before we can confidently start selling Pakistan as a tourist deztination

 

[Firebat]

Pakistan's tourism industy is seeing an unprecedented boost, protecting sites is necessary: PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan's tourism industry is seeing a boost for the first time in history, adding that it has become mandatory for the country to protect its sites through eco-friendly policies.

He was speaking at the launch ceremony of an eco-tourism agreement signed between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the World Bank, and Nestle Pakistan.

During the ceremony, PM Imran Khan unveiled the logo of Travel Responsibly for Experiencing Ecotourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TREK).

Need for eco-tourism in Pakistan

PM Khan said that irregular tourism, unplanned development, and improper disposal of waste is destroying many of Pakistan's beautiful touristic sites, therefore, the need for bio laws and eco-friendly tourism has become more important than ever before.

Citing the example of Murree, Naran, and Nathia Gali, he said that many unplanned buildings have been erected in the resort towns which is negatively affecting tourism there.

"We have to safeguard these sites from turning into concrete jungles, otherwise, no one will come here," he said. If we make sure that our touristic sites are clean, they will attract more tourism."

He added that at present, tourism in Pakistan has "exploded," the first time in history, calling for an urgent need to devise eco-friendly policies for the sector.

Tourism must benefit local people

Speaking on the occasion, the World Bank's Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine said that the World Banks Group is "keen to continue supporting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in their efforts to provide employment opportunities to the youth in the tourism sector.

Agreeing with Benhassine's comments, PM Imran Khan said that a country's tourism will not be successful or sustainable unless local people are able to benefit from it.

"If local people are made aware of protecting the sites [from environmental degradation] because tourism is linked to their livelihoods, they will employ efforts to protect those sites," PM Khan said. "In this way, we will not only preserve our touristic sites but will also generate employment."

He also said that ecotourism has evolved into a science and many countries, like the Maldives and Kenya, are employing the science of ecotourism to protect their sites so that more and more tourists visit their countries.

Untapped potential

PM Imran Khan also said that Pakistan's Northern areas also hold potential for skiing which is still untapped, adding that just like Switzerland earns about $80 billion through their skiing resorts per year, Pakistan can too make achieve great success if such resorts are established here.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/323663-pa...s-seeing-an-unprecedented-boost-pm-imran-khan

 

[Bewal Express]

The formula is simple. Open up transport links to these areas in the North in particular and create good local transport links, have decent hotels for people to stay at competitive prices and have something for people to do whilst there and Bobs your uncle.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan's massive tourism potential is just beginning to be discovered. <a href="https://t.co/v5pFadvneQ">pic.twitter.com/v5pFadvneQ</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1337771498770227202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our govt is committed to developing Pakistan's tourism potential while protecting our environment. <a href="https://t.co/UKNCf0V9Vf">pic.twitter.com/UKNCf0V9Vf</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1337771577895686148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Himalayan Brown Bear in Pakistan’s just announced Karakoram National Park. Other rare species that will be protected in this National Park will be the Snow Leopard and the magnificent Marco Polo sheep. <a href="https://t.co/2jxHaNL6mF">pic.twitter.com/2jxHaNL6mF</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1348288113383235585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that Pakistan had great potential for tourism which could be capitalized for revenue generation, employment and promoting heritage.

Taking note of the increasing domestic tourism, he emphasized that planning and feasibility on scientific grounds was essential before development of tourist sites in the country.

He also underscored the importance of preserving local heritage and environmental protection for tourist sites.

The prime minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Tourism here.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, Special Assistant to PM and Chairman National Tourism Coordination Board Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Advisor to CM Punjab on Tourism Asif Mehmood, Secretary Cabinet, Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Managing Director Pakistan Tourism, Development Corporation (PTDC), and senior officials.

Chief Secretaries Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan joined via video link.

The prime minister was briefed regarding planning and feasibilities conducted for the development of new tourist sites in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The sites were located in Salt Range, Potohar Plateau, Districts Swat and Murree and near Gawadar.

He directed that bye-laws and regulations must be notified before starting physical development work on tourist sites to ensure cleanliness, environmental protection and prevent illegal land encroachment.

The meeting was told that anti-encroachment drive continues throughout the country.

The prime minister directed that anti-encroachment drive should continue without any discrimination as there was no one above law.

https://www.app.com.pk/top-news/pak...talized-for-revenue-employment-generation-pm/

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan cannot become a proper tourist destination on the back of northern areas alone.

Not everyone is an adrenaline junkie and into that stuff. Our tourism at the moment is only limited to mountaineers and hippies with backpacks and GoPro cameras sticking from their foreheads.

Moreover, treating food-vloggers and travelers like celebrities is not a sustainable solution either.

The main problem for Pakistan is that the major cities do not have a proper nightlife. There is no clubbing scene.

As a result, Pakistan is not an attractive option for normal, regular people who are into climbing mountains and traveling for food.

These people will always have better alternatives to Pakistan. The major cities do not offer anything that other countries do not offer.

As a result, Pakistan has a very limited potential for tourism.

 

[Giannis]

Pakistan cannot become a proper tourist destination on the back of northern areas alone.

Not everyone is an adrenaline junkie and into that stuff. Our tourism at the moment is only limited to mountaineers and hippies with backpacks and GoPro cameras sticking from their foreheads.

Moreover, treating food-vloggers and travelers like celebrities is not a sustainable solution either.

The main problem for Pakistan is that the major cities do not have a proper nightlife. There is no clubbing scene.

As a result, Pakistan is not an attractive option for normal, regular people who are into climbing mountains and traveling for food.

These people will always have better alternatives to Pakistan. The major cities do not offer anything that other countries do not offer.

As a result, Pakistan has a very limited potential for tourism.

Yeah and to get tourists you gotta improve your economy so people can visit your city for a reason - whether it's a business trip, to study, a music/art festival or even a global sports event.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan cannot become a proper tourist destination on the back of northern areas alone.

Not everyone is an adrenaline junkie and into that stuff. Our tourism at the moment is only limited to mountaineers and hippies with backpacks and GoPro cameras sticking from their foreheads.

Moreover, treating food-vloggers and travelers like celebrities is not a sustainable solution either.

The main problem for Pakistan is that the major cities do not have a proper nightlife. There is no clubbing scene.

As a result, Pakistan is not an attractive option for normal, regular people who are into climbing mountains and traveling for food.

These people will always have better alternatives to Pakistan. The major cities do not offer anything that other countries do not offer.

As a result, Pakistan has a very limited potential for tourism.

Who are not into*

 

[rockyboy2018]

Who are not into*

Do you want to build strip clubs in Pakistan, Mamoon? They will be filled with most maulvis and there will be no space left for foreigners.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch Al-Beruni Radius, a tourism project in Jhelum for the revival of Pakistan's heritage today, according to a PM Office statement.

It said that the prime minister is keen on the preservation and conservation of the site, aimed at converting it into an international tourism site.

The site's archeological significance dates back to the 11th century when famous scholar Abu Rehan Al-Beruni during his stay quantified the circumference of the Earth.

Al-Beruni later wrote a famous book about the region and mentioned Nandana as a great center of learning.

The historical Nandana Fort is located in Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan of district Jhelum.

GEO

 

[Minnowbasher]

Pakistan cannot become a proper tourist destination on the back of northern areas alone.

Not everyone is an adrenaline junkie and into that stuff. Our tourism at the moment is only limited to mountaineers and hippies with backpacks and GoPro cameras sticking from their foreheads.

Moreover, treating food-vloggers and travelers like celebrities is not a sustainable solution either.

The main problem for Pakistan is that the major cities do not have a proper nightlife. There is no clubbing scene.

As a result, Pakistan is not an attractive option for normal, regular people who are into climbing mountains and traveling for food.

These people will always have better alternatives to Pakistan. The major cities do not offer anything that other countries do not offer.

As a result, Pakistan has a very limited potential for tourism.

Clubbing is certainly not something most tourists are concerned about. I can name you many popular tourist destinations where the night clubbing life isn't well known.
Look at Thailand, Indonesia, North Africa etc.

 

[ElRaja]

Pakistan cannot become a proper tourist destination on the back of northern areas alone.

Not everyone is an adrenaline junkie and into that stuff. Our tourism at the moment is only limited to mountaineers and hippies with backpacks and GoPro cameras sticking from their foreheads.

Moreover, treating food-vloggers and travelers like celebrities is not a sustainable solution either.

The main problem for Pakistan is that the major cities do not have a proper nightlife. There is no clubbing scene.

As a result, Pakistan is not an attractive option for normal, regular people who are into climbing mountains and traveling for food.

These people will always have better alternatives to Pakistan. The major cities do not offer anything that other countries do not offer.

As a result, Pakistan has a very limited potential for tourism.

not clubbing, alcohol, a lot of people go east asia or africa where there is little clubbing scene but u still get alcohol.

 

[Mamoon]

Clubbing is certainly not something most tourists are concerned about. I can name you many popular tourist destinations where the night clubbing life isn't well known.
Look at Thailand, Indonesia, North Africa etc.

not clubbing, alcohol, a lot of people go east asia or africa where there is little clubbing scene but u still get alcohol.

Well Pakistan doesn’t offer the shady massage parlors and the call girls service that are a huge selling point for East Asian tourism. The percentage of family-friendly tourism in these countries is considerably low - it is mostly group of friends who are into this stuff and vloggers and professional travelers.

North African countries like Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia etc. have their own selling points such as the Giza pyramids, Fes, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Luxor, Tunis etc. etc.

The issue with Pakistan is that the major cities don’t have much to offer if you are not a professional traveler/vlogger or an adrenaline junkie who is into the northern areas stuff.

A regular tourist would be better off going to India instead because there is more to do with less restrictions.

As a result, Pakistan’s objective to become a major tourist destination is ambitious but difficult to achieve.

 

[Last Monetarist]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today I visited Nandana Fort where Al Buruni spent years in an Observatory and measured the circumference of the earth with amazing accuracy almost a 1000 years ago . We have decided to preserve the site and build an infrastructure there so it becomes accessible to tourists. <a href="https://t.co/bsg8me0z4k">pic.twitter.com/bsg8me0z4k</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1366038347232247809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Civil]

I think this industry will do well in the next decade for us. The effect of social media has made "adventure travel' trend very appealing to many.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Well Pakistan doesn’t offer the shady massage parlors and the call girls service that are a huge selling point for East Asian tourism. The percentage of family-friendly tourism in these countries is considerably low - it is mostly group of friends who are into this stuff and vloggers and professional travelers.

North African countries like Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia etc. have their own selling points such as the Giza pyramids, Fes, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Luxor, Tunis etc. etc.

The issue with Pakistan is that the major cities don’t have much to offer if you are not a professional traveler/vlogger or an adrenaline junkie who is into the northern areas stuff.

A regular tourist would be better off going to India instead because there is more to do with less restrictions.

As a result, Pakistan’s objective to become a major tourist destination is ambitious but difficult to achieve.

Morocco has many bars and is an alternative to Balearics. Likewise most of North Africa is heavily embedded in its french colonisation

 

[Mamoon]

The chairman of tourism committee of Pakistan.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ladies and Gentlemen, <br><br>Please meet your Chairman National Tourism Coordination Board & Chairman Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation<br><br>Unelected people are not answerable to anyone, and apparently don’t have any answers either... <br> <a href="https://t.co/rWJTvM9Iyx">pic.twitter.com/rWJTvM9Iyx</a></p>— Khurram Qureshi (@qureshik74) <a href="https://twitter.com/qureshik74/status/1274933881536471041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

) ) ) )

What a joke this government is. A complete circus show.

The chairman of Pakistan’s tourism committee, the clueless Zulfiqar Bukhari, cannot even name a single place that foreigners should visit.

Amazing vision and team selection shown by Kaptaan.

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION]

 

[Mamoon]

Furthermore, Imran Khan has admitted numerous times that he has no idea how Zulfiqar Bukhari made his money.

He has been a close friend but he has no clue where he got his fortune from, and in spite of having no idea about the source of his wealth, he had no hesitation in appointing his as SAPM.

Amazing vision and leadership by Kaptaan. Remarkable.

 

[Mamoon]

Reporter:

“So Chairman of Pakistan Tourism Committee, what do you think is the one place in Pakistan that everyone should visit?”

Chairman of Pakistan Tourism Committee:

“Ummm...ummm..one place in Pakistan? Ummm...umm...I will have to get back to you on that”

 

[guna]

Pakistan can make a lot of money if they can open religious tourism for Hindus also. I hear that Pakistan has some really old temples centuries old.

 

[Tubs]

Pakistan does have a lot of natural beauty and historic sites (though some jahil people like to knock them down). It won't become like Turkey any time soon, but there was some increased interest in Western tourists before covid hit. It is a relatively unexplored place from a Western perspective, which adds to the appeal. If only South Asia was united, there could be a great South Asian tour, from Bangladesh to India to Sri Lanka to Pakistan to Nepal. Probably not the optima route, that can be changed, but there's so many interesting cultural and heritage sites in all of those countries.

Alas, I doubt that could happen.

 

[PetroDollars]

Pakistan can make a lot of money if they can open religious tourism for Hindus also. I hear that Pakistan has some really old temples centuries old.

They will just become terroist attractions rather then tourist attractions.

 

[Major]

The chairman of tourism committee of Pakistan.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ladies and Gentlemen, <br><br>Please meet your Chairman National Tourism Coordination Board & Chairman Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation<br><br>Unelected people are not answerable to anyone, and apparently don’t have any answers either... <br> <a href="https://t.co/rWJTvM9Iyx">pic.twitter.com/rWJTvM9Iyx</a></p>— Khurram Qureshi (@qureshik74) <a href="https://twitter.com/qureshik74/status/1274933881536471041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

) ) ) )

What a joke this government is. A complete circus show.

The chairman of Pakistan’s tourism committee, the clueless Zulfiqar Bukhari, cannot even name a single place that foreigners should visit.

Amazing vision and team selection shown by Kaptaan.

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION]

Zulfi is indeed a fool. THe govt itself has no idea about the tourist spots and dont know how to develop it.

One thing that PMLN did was they developed the walled city of Lahore in a proper fashion.

What Imran khan is going is playing the sikh politics and calling it boosting tourism.

We have the salt mines that is in terrible state. Its salt gets marketted by India as himalayan salt, our PTI govt decided to ban exports and did nothing to promote the salt

 

[Major]

Zulfiqar Bukhari is the “merit” Imran Khan promised.

We have other idiots aswell, remember Aamir mehmood Kiani?

How does it feel that you are from the field of medicine and the country head appointed was someone who had no links with this. Plus, he was involved in illegal increase of medicines in the country.

Right now covid test are for Rs. 7000 and Russian Vaccine is price near Rs. 10,000

 

[Kroll]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ladies and Gentlemen, <br><br>Please meet your Chairman National Tourism Coordination Board & Chairman Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation<br><br>Unelected people are not answerable to anyone, and apparently don’t have any answers either... <br> <a href="https://t.co/rWJTvM9Iyx">pic.twitter.com/rWJTvM9Iyx</a></p>— Khurram Qureshi (@qureshik74) <a href="https://twitter.com/qureshik74/status/1274933881536471041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's pretty scandalous that.

 

[CricketCartoons]

That's pretty scandalous that.

He has too many places to mention so he cannot decide which one to put first. It is not like he doesn't know of any must visit place. Typical hit job.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Boosting Tourism in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Swat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Swat</a> :: <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Official_PIA</a> operations in Saidu Sharif Airport, Swat resumes after 17 years. The inaugural flight of PIA lands in Saidu Sharif Airport. 2 flights/week will land in Swat; in next phase, International operations will resume in Saidu Sharif Airport&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <a href="https://t.co/oYLUFaNTAR">pic.twitter.com/oYLUFaNTAR</a></p>— PTI (@PTIofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1375343517128593410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bewal Express]

Tourism will increase if you follow some basic simple templates but they are very expensive and require investment. For a start you need transport to get there, then you you need to stay in decent but relatively inexpensive hotels, then you need somewhere to eat and in todays market, it needs to be an experience. All this takes time and money. IK has started the ball rolling but it will take years to start to reach its potential.

 

[MenInG]

SWAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday said that resumption of flights to Saidu Sharif after 17 years was an achievement of the government as it was a longstanding desire of the people of Swat valley.

He was addressing the elders of Swat after the inaugural flight landed at Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat. Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed, PIA’s chief executive officer Arshad Malik, MNA Saleemur Rehman and MPAs from Swat were present on the occasion.

In 1994, the airport was briefly seized by the Tehreek Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi, but security forces took control of it after a clash with the banned outfit. The airport was closed temporarily in 2002 when Pakistan International Airlines suspended its flights. Moreover, due to insurgency in Swat from 2006 to 2009 the airport could not be made functional.

Following the public demand, the federal government decided to reopen the airport in 2014; however, after a test flight the same year the airport could not be made operational due to unknown reasons.

KP chief minister says resumption of flights a longstanding desire of people of Swat

The chief minister said the opening of the airport would boost tourism in the entire Malakand division and create unlimited opportunities of jobs, trade and investment for the people of the division. “Promotion of tourism is one of the top priorities of the PTI government and vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

He said it was a historic day for the people of Malakand division, especially for Swat district which was badly affected by terrorism, floods and earthquake. It is another promise fulfilled by the PTI government,” he said, adding that the government was opening new spots in Swat and other districts of Malakand division to promote tourism.

The chief minister said the runway of Saidu Sharif Airport would soon be extended to provide more facilities at the airport. “An Austrian investor has selected Swat to establish a skiing village of hundreds of houses that will promote tourism and international skiing sports here.”

He said the completion of the first phase of Swat Motorway had already had positive impact on tourism, while its second phase, from Chakdarra to Fatehpur Madayn, would open up the entire Swat valley for tourism and trade. He said Prime Minister Khan would be invited to the groundbreaking ceremony of Swat Motorway Phase-II.

“A mega project of a cable car will be initiated which will help tourists enjoy the dazzling beauty of Kalam in Swat, Kumrat in Dir Upper and Matakhaist in Chitral,” he said, adding that completion of an expressway from Chakdara to Chitral and Shandor would boost tourism in the region and make Dir Lower, Dir Upper and Chitral districts a hub of tourism, trade and investment.

CM Khan said a project worth Rs14 billion for lifting of water from River Swat to Mingora city would be completed with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to address the issue of clean drinking water in the area. He said work on several mega projects was under way while many others were in the pipeline, including a 300MW hydropower project in Balakot.

The chief minister also planted a tree to formally inaugurate a spring tree plantation campaign under a 10-billion trees project in Swat.

Federal ministers Ghulam Sarwar and Murad Saeed and PIA CEO Arshad Malik also addressed the gathering.

Flight to South Africa

For the first time, PIA on Friday operated a direct flight to South African city of Johannesburg with the Pakistan cricket team aboard.

PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said the Pakistan cricket team and other officials onboard the PIA flight departed for Johannesburg. The flight PK-6721 will reach its destination after 11 hours of journey.

The spokesman said it would be the first PIA flight which would touch down on South African’s soil.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2021

 

[MenInG]

Despite several attempts, the government has failed to appoint a regular managing director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). PTDC, an organisation set up with the aim of promoting tourism in the country, is being run through an ad hoc arrangement for a long time in the absence of a permanent MD.

The additional charge of PTDC MD has been given to the general manager of the corporation.

The government has even upgraded the post of MD a couple of times in a bid to attract a suitable candidate, but to no avail.

Now, the PTDC board of directors has come up with a plan and has asked the government that a board director can be appointed as the MD under an interim arrangement till the hiring of a permanent MD.

Earlier, with approval of the federal cabinet, Intikhab Alam, an officer of the Secretariat Group (BS19), was posted as general manager of PTDC and later he was given the additional charge of MD. The tenure of additional charge expired on December 3, 2020. Earlier, the post of PTDC MD was advertised on February 20, 2020.

However, the selection committee of the board of directors could not pick a suitable candidate. Therefore, the board recommended that the post should be re-advertised after upgrading it from MP-ll scale to MP-I scale.

The post was placed in the MP-I scale after government approval and was re-advertised. Despite the upgrade, no suitable candidate could be selected.

Subsequently, the board recommended that the post should be re-advertised by further upgrading it to the SPPS-II position.

A summary has been prepared and approval of the prime minister has been sought for placing the post in SPPS-II. Approval of the premier is still awaited.

As the slot of MD is still vacant, the board has adopted the following resolution: Aftabur Rehman Rana, an independent director on the PTDC board, may be assigned responsibilities of MD on an honorary basis for the intervening period till the joining of a regular MD in terms of Section 187(1) of the Companies Act 2017 to manage the affairs of the corporation and exercise all administrative and financial powers as delegated to the MD from time to time for a smooth functioning of the affairs of the corporation and its subsidiaries.

The Cabinet Division has endorsed the PTDC board proposal for assigning the responsibilities of MD to Aftabur Rehman Rana on an honorary basis until the joining of a regular MD.

In terms of Article 150(a) of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of PTDC, read with Section 187(4) of the Companies Act, 2017 and Public Sector Companies (Corporate Governance) Rules 2013, the federal government is competent to appoint MDs/CEOs of public sector companies.

The Establishment Division has also given its consent for the proposal. However, they have suggested that hiring of the MD through a competitive process may be undertaken and completed at the earliest.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2292939/ptdc-working-without-md-since-long

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Exploring winter tourism and ski resorts feasibility, Deosai plains first ever winter ski traverse. <a href="https://t.co/gGSOvHEECR">pic.twitter.com/gGSOvHEECR</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1379290147745828865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[maverick85]

South asians in general are relatively dirty. If this is internal tourism, then expect the areas to become eyesores. This doesn't bode well for the environment.. Jittay apnay jaatay hai, zaroor guddar phainki ty murree wapas a jatay hai.

 

[maverick85]

Zulfi is indeed a fool. THe govt itself has no idea about the tourist spots and dont know how to develop it.

One thing that PMLN did was they developed the walled city of Lahore in a proper fashion.

What Imran khan is going is playing the sikh politics and calling it boosting tourism.

We have the salt mines that is in terrible state. Its salt gets marketted by India as himalayan salt, our PTI govt decided to ban exports and did nothing to promote the salt

I agree, more focus should be put on Lahore for its infrastructure, beauty and cleanliness.

 

[MenInG]

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is planning to operate direct flights from Karachi to Skardu and a safari flight from Islamabad to Skardu on the second day of Eidul Fitr.

A spokesman for the PIA said an Airbus A320 flight from Karachi-Skardu-Karachi would be operated to facilitate the residents of northern areas.

He said the Airbus flight for Skardu would take off from Karachi after making sure that the weather conditions are clear and the routine flight from Islamabad has landed in Skardu.

In case of bad weather conditions, the airbus flight will be diverted to Islamabad instead of returning to Karachi, the spokesman said, adding the flight time from Karachi to Skardu would be 2-1/4 hours.

He said the PIA was also planning to start flights between Lahore and Gilgit. Another flight from Lahore to Chitral may also be started in the next phase.

The spokesman said PIA was also planning to start flight operations from Karachi to Chitral and Karachi to Gilgit.

He said it will be for the first time that flights for northern areas will be operated from Karachi and Lahore, instead of only from Islamabad. The aim to expand the flight operations to northern areas was to promote tourism in the country in the light of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision.

The spokesman said PIA had planned to operate a safari flight from Islamabad to Skardu on the second day of Eidul Fitr.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority has given approval to ex-cricketer Ramiz Raja to travel to Pakistan from a category ‘C’ country as per intended travel itinerary.

Pakistan Cricket Board had requested the Aviation Division Islamabad for Ramiz Raja’s travel exemption to travel to Pakistan from South Africa for commentary of cricket series played between Pakistan and South African from March 26 till April 16.

Ramiz Raja is scheduled to travel to Pakistan on April 18 by a Qatar Airways flight to Lahore. South Africa has been placed in category ‘C’ due to a rise in Covid-19 cases and a ban has been imposed on passengers from that country.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2021

 

[OMB]

Gwadar: a tourist destination with no French fries

“We are packed for Eid,” said Muhammad Asif Muneer, managing director of the budget-friendly Gwadar Tourist Hotel. The pandemic may have sucked the life out of Karachiites’ entertainment, but it provided a boom for Gwadar’s tourism where the city dwellers are flocking to escape the confines of their homes.

Estimating the weekly capacity of the motel strip across the scenic marine drive to be around 2,000, Mr Muneer guesses that Gwadar receives around 20,000-25,000 visitors a month during the peak season when all places to stay are accounted for. The well-heeled may opt for Pearl Continental Gwadar that has witnessed a 200 per cent increase in the number of guests in the last four to five months, according to its finance manager Waqar Baig.

Other than the lockdown, the photos of the Gwadar Stadium by the International Cricket Council have also drummed up interest and made it a popular tourist spot, right up there with the Princess of Hope and the Sphinx.

Budget-friendly

A family of four travelling by car from Karachi to Gwadar for a four-day, three-night stay could comfortably cover their expenses in about Rs50,000-55,000. This includes two-way fuel costs of around Rs14,000-16,000. Except for a PSO pump in Gwadar, all the fuel stations along the way sell Iranian oil. Last month, the price of Iranian fuel was Rs100 per litre compared to the official price of Rs110 though rates fluctuate daily. The drive itself is beautiful with rugged terrains and a vista of the blue-green sea that brings peace to eyes weary with the polluted urban setting.

The middle-income group can find family-friendly hotels for around Rs6,000 per night. While restaurants are scarce in Gwadar, the food available at hotels is pleasant. But families with kids be warned, French fries are a delicacy not easily found.

The stunning beauty of the Makran Coastal Highway with its majestic topography and the glittering blue sea is wasted in Pakistan

While Karachiites may make up the bulk of Gwadar tourists, there is also a lot of interest from Punjab, say event organisers Zahra Tuba and Syed Osama bin Shehzad from Travel Tucker. Though Punjab has easy access to the beauty of the mountains, it lacks beaches, making the Makran coastline an attractive destination.

The event organisers take groups of about 200 people to the Ormara beach from Karachi and provide comfortable rooms in a hut, good food, rung (throwing of coloured powder), fireworks and live music. Trips to Gwadar comprise about 35-60 people. After Eid, they have planned four small trips and one mega event a month, indicating the developing tourism along the beaches of Balochistan.

However, the stunning beauty of the Makran Coastal Highway with its majestic topography and the glittering blue sea is wasted in Pakistan.

Wasted potential

“There are not enough visitors for me to purchase milk for tea,” says the chai wala at Sunset Park, near PC Gwadar. A green park with slides and swings for children overlooking a cliff with crashing waves, it is an ideal spot for families but fairly deserted. Similarly, the marine drive in front of the tourist strip is beautiful and well-lit at night but sparsely populated.

Considered one of the best places in the world for hot air ballooning, the unique formations of Cappadocia, Turkey, attracted 3.7 million visitors in 2019, according to media reports. While Pakistan is similarly blessed with rock formations dating back hundreds of years that would make for an incredibly beautiful spot for hot air balloon enthusiasts and other adventurers, its visitors barely number in thousands.

One cannot lament enough the lack of infrastructure. The basics of any long drive such as reliable petrol stations, rest stops with washrooms and the internet are all missing. Only Iranian petrol is available, many a time poured in with a can covered with a cloth as a strain.

If travellers hope to sing along to music while driving, they must download songs because the internet is practically non-existent from Karachi onwards.

Washrooms in particular are a challenge. We can arrange for everything, laments Ms Tuba, but the lack of restrooms is an impediment to travel for many beautiful places such as Moola Chotok in Sindh. Even if the private sector could come together and develop rest spots, travel would receive a boost, she suggests.

The highway from Karachi to Gwadar is beautiful but the road is narrow with a single lane for two-way traffic. It requires a lot of concentration to avoid high-speed incoming traffic from the opposite direction, especially at night when there are no lights.

Though the interest in Gwadar and its surrounding beaches has generated traction, it may be short-lived due to the lack of amenities. Without internet access, restaurants and activities, there is not much to do beyond a day or two. A bit of effort from the government and the private sector could make Balochistan a tourist hotspot of the south. But if the province is as ignored in tourism as it is in other sectors, this potential too would be wasted.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1618930

 

[PakLFC]

IK promised the world but delivered nothing. His dream of Pakistan being the fastest growing tourist attraction was another lie he brainwashed people with. It is worrisome when our "only hope" according to many has been a complete letdown.

 

[maverick85]

Pakistan has some great jaloos tourism. Maula jatt fazlur and co. and maula rizwi like to bring the jahils out and about to revive the local economies. Lahore ay is experiencing it first hand.

 

[MenInG]

IK promised the world but delivered nothing. His dream of Pakistan being the fastest growing tourist attraction was another lie he brainwashed people with. It is worrisome when our "only hope" according to many has been a complete letdown.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...for-2020-by-Cond%E9-Nast-Traveller&p=10584206

 

[PakLFC]

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...for-2020-by-Cond%E9-Nast-Traveller&p=10584206

2021 now. I wish could see glossy Pak travel brochures at various travel agents. Where are they??

 

[maverick85]

2021 now. I wish could see glossy Pak travel brochures at various travel agents. Where are they??

Thomas Cook? They've closed down. With the pandemic, I very much doubt you're perusing some imaginary high Street travel agents

 

[MenInG]

2021 now. I wish could see glossy Pak travel brochures at various travel agents. Where are they??

Covid. Which tourist destinations are doing booming business?

 

[Napa]

Covid. Which tourist destinations are doing booming business?

Las Vegas

https://lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2021/apr/18/0417_sun_VegasTourism/#/0

 

[PakLFC]

Covid. Which tourist destinations are doing booming business?

You showed me how Pak was the most popular tourist destination some years back. Even then we hardly saw in Pak holiday brochures at high street travel agents.

 

[PakLFC]

Thomas Cook? They've closed down. With the pandemic, I very much doubt you're perusing some imaginary high Street travel agents

Are you saying that High Street travel agents have Pak brochures that I have missed or are you dreaming??

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lahore Fort has been restored and preserved for our future generations. My government intends to eventually preserve and restore all our historical sites. <a href="https://t.co/NXyal9puKN">pic.twitter.com/NXyal9puKN</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1405901366137077762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The restored Lahore Fort. <a href="https://t.co/s69XvCAtTS">pic.twitter.com/s69XvCAtTS</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1405901403219009536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PetroDollars]

if pakistan is serious about tourism, they first need to establish a new police force dedicated for tourists, especially up north.

Then they need to build the infranstrucuhure for hotels and resorts to open up with bars

 

[MenInG]

if pakistan is serious about tourism, they first need to establish a new police force dedicated for tourists, especially up north.

Then they need to build the infranstrucuhure for hotels and resorts to open up with bars

No thanks.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The ancient ruins of a Buddhist temple in Takhtbhai, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa --- part of Pakistan's rich Gandhara heritage. <a href="https://t.co/J23ZZS9Htf">pic.twitter.com/J23ZZS9Htf</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1442175927329427456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the largest rock engravings of Buddha, almost 2000 years old, located in Jahan Abad, Swat. <a href="https://t.co/FOfwojFkJC">pic.twitter.com/FOfwojFkJC</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1449794372896268289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

A magnificent 14-storey cruise ship will now be sold in junk as there is not enough space to park the beautiful and comfortable cruise at the country's biggest port in Karachi, Geo News reported Sunday.

The cruise's new owner from New Choice Enterprises, Ahmadullah Khan, said he made efforts for the ship to provide recreation as he planned to turn it into a hotel or cruise to promote tourism.

Originally, he purchased the ship to be dismantled in Pakistan, however, when he saw the ship in perfect shape, he changed his mind and thought of turning it into a tourist attraction.

However, he said, he contacted the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and other authorities, but no place could be allocated for the cruise ship in the largest port of the country.

Hence, the ship, Celestyal Experience, formerly known as Costa Romantica, has been taken to the Gadani ship-breaking yard to be dismantled.

Talking to a local media outlet, Ahmadullah Khan said the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) chairman had assured him of cooperation. However, he later learnt that the ship cannot be parked in the post owing to shortage of space.

GEO

 

[Napa]

A magnificent 14-storey cruise ship will now be sold in junk as there is not enough space to park the beautiful and comfortable cruise at the country's biggest port in Karachi, Geo News reported Sunday.

The cruise's new owner from New Choice Enterprises, Ahmadullah Khan, said he made efforts for the ship to provide recreation as he planned to turn it into a hotel or cruise to promote tourism.

Originally, he purchased the ship to be dismantled in Pakistan, however, when he saw the ship in perfect shape, he changed his mind and thought of turning it into a tourist attraction.

However, he said, he contacted the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and other authorities, but no place could be allocated for the cruise ship in the largest port of the country.

Hence, the ship, Celestyal Experience, formerly known as Costa Romantica, has been taken to the Gadani ship-breaking yard to be dismantled.

Talking to a local media outlet, Ahmadullah Khan said the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) chairman had assured him of cooperation. However, he later learnt that the ship cannot be parked in the post owing to shortage of space.

GEO

There is a Wiki page on this ship:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestyal_Experience

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Inaugurated Skardu international airport. InshaAllah, this will take mountain tourism to a level where it will bring in foreign exchange for the country & raise the local community's standard of living. I want to thank the people of Skardu for their generous welcome. <a href="https://t.co/wWZG9ziN8C">pic.twitter.com/wWZG9ziN8C</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1471452537815384066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Under our vision of promoting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EcoTourism?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EcoTourism</a> the historic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Monroe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Monroe</a> hiking trail has been restored in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KP</a> under our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/10BillionTreeTsunami?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#10BillionTreeTsunami</a> - traversing 50 km of pristine natural forest with two overnight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/glamp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#glamp</a> sites. <a href="https://t.co/LCC4Jrshjz">pic.twitter.com/LCC4Jrshjz</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1474347187865853976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rare footage of the shy snow leopard in Khaplu, GB <a href="https://t.co/M8OZEwKs1C">pic.twitter.com/M8OZEwKs1C</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1474703077961711621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Have been sent more videos of snow leopards taken this year. MashaAllah the numbers are increasing due to my government's strict policy of protecting them in their natural habitat. <a href="https://t.co/0OLSxgQACI">pic.twitter.com/0OLSxgQACI</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1474814791688462339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Last Monetarist]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Skardu at night & our girls playing ice hockey in GB. With an international airport now at Skardu, this area will InshaAllah become a world winter sports destination. <a href="https://t.co/5oGJHFzeKO">pic.twitter.com/5oGJHFzeKO</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1487406615342944256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Lonewarrior]

Discover Pakistan - A new TV Channel

Discover Pakistan TV is the first tourism channel of Pakistan.[1] Launched on 21st March 2021, Discover Pakistan TV is owned by Options International SMC PVT LTV. The channel claims to focus on promoting domestic and international tourism in Pakistan.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Its slogan is ‘Sab se Pyara Pakistan’ (Pakistan, the best). The channel’s show Discovery Ride is hosted by Zenith Irfan[7] (the first female Pakistani to motorcycle across Pakistan).

On 26th March 2021, The Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (TDCP), and Discover Pakistan signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) to promote tourism in the Punjab. The MoU was signed by TDCP Managing Director Tanveer Jabbar and Discover Pakistan TV Chief Executive Officer Kaiser Rafique.[8]

List of Shows:

1-The Morning show

2- Welcome to Pakistan, hosted by Hina Ejaz

3- Mera Pakistan

4- Story of Pakistan

5- Madventures, hosted by Amad Mir

6- Meet the CEO

7- Dil Hai Pakistani, hosted by Maria Wo

8- Discovery Ride, hosted by Zenith Irfan

9- Food Mobile

10- Street Food.

Watch Live - https://discoverpakistan.tv/

Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgNFVvOtVRg5Zgn2xGJQcw/videos

 

[finalfantasy7]

Watch Live - https://discoverpakistan.tv/

Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgNFVvOtVRg5Zgn2xGJQcw/videos

brilliant, ive subscribed,

 

[PakLFC]

They need to air this channel on free view in the UK, Europe and America.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a newly discovered skiing area in Gabin Jabba, Swat. Now that children are learning to ski in Swat, InshaAllah soon Pakistan will become competitive in Winter Olympics. <a href="https://t.co/uMCXycJ371">pic.twitter.com/uMCXycJ371</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1495469706320351235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[daytrader]

Pakistan climbing season reaches new heights

Pakistan climbing season reaches new heights
Pakistan is home to five of the world's 14 mountains higher than 8,000 metres

SKARDU:
Pakistan is enjoying a bumper climbing season with around 1,400 foreign mountaineers bidding to scale its lofty peaks -- including hundreds on the 8,611-metre (28,251-feet) K2, the world's second highest.

"It is a record number," Raja Nasir Ali Khan, tourism minister of Gilgit-Baltistan region, told AFP.

The country is home to five of the world's 14 mountains higher than 8,000 metres, and climbing them all is considered the ultimate achievement of any mountaineer.

Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told AFP there were 57 expeditions planned for 23 Pakistan peaks this season -- with 370 climbers having a crack at K2, known as "the savage mountain".

Besides being far more technically difficult to climb than Everest, weather conditions are notoriously fickle on K2, which has only being scaled by 425 people since 1954.

More than 6,000 people have climbed Everest since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the top in 1953 -- some of them multiple times.

Haidri said climbers this year include 90 women -- including at least two Pakistanis aiming to become the country's first to scale K2.

Russian Oxana Morneva is leading a team on the mountain, having failed in her own attempt in 2012 when she was forced back after injuring her knee.

"My rope was broken by falling rocks," she told AFP.

She said she had no apprehension about returning.

"When we go to the mountain we have to be peaceful inside, and we have to know what we are doing," she added.

Around 200 climbers will attempt to scale the 8,051-metre Broad Peak, while similar numbers will try Gasherbrum-I (8,080 metres) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 metres).

A 36-year-old Norwegian climber, Kristin Harila, is also aiming to reach the world's 14 highest mountain summits in record time.

Having already climbed seven peaks of over 8,000 metres, Harila hopes to match, if not beat, Nepali adventurer Nirmal Purja's ambitious six months and six days record.

The summer climbing season that started in early June lasts until late August.

Express Tribune