July 14, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, July 13 : Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Youth Affairs Rais Munir Ahmad has said the government is planning to make the country a tourist resort by year 2005.

He said this in an interview with a media team from Thailand headed by advisor to deputy prime minister, Theppasit Pravabanavin, here on Saturday.

Mr Ahmad said Pakistan felt more confident after 9/11 incident because Gulf countries had a mind shift and were taking interest in Asian countries for tourism.

The minister said Pakistan’s image was being improved in tackling the security and safety threats. The country has a high alert policing system at national airports and data is being provided on the spot, he added.

He said precautionary measures were being taken and Pakistan provided 100 per cent security guarantee to the tourists.

The minister said the government was planning to construct amusement parks in the country and had started consultations with Disney Corporation for setting up franchised parks in Lahore and Karachi.

In reply to a question, he said different parts of the country would soon be interlinked through roads and highways and to approach the Northern Areas, Gawadar and other tourist potential areas would become easy.

He said the government had signed 13 memorandums of understanding with different countries for exchange of culture, sports and tourism.

About the recent Lahore-Delhi bus service, he said it was the step towards promotion of tourism on both the sides. “Now we are looking forward to air links to have bright and friendly future,” he added.