LAHORE, July 22: The Malaysian government will open its consulate general, immigration centre and tourism offices in Karachi next month, according to Malaysian culture, arts and tourism

minister.

The minister, Dato’ Paduka Abdul Kadir Bin Haji Sheikh Fadzir, was talking to reporters during his visit to the Indus Guides, a Pakistani Tour Operator, on the Sarwar Road.

Mr Kadir, who was accompanied by a delegation of tour operators and hoteliers from Malaysia, said he and his counterpart in Pakistan Raees Munir Ahmad had agreed that they would work to promote tourism in both the countries. He said he had invited the federal tourism minister to meet tour operators in Malaysia. “An agreement between the governments of both the countries has also been signed to promote tourism,” he said.

Mr Kadir said the Malaysian government also wanted to see better Pakistan-India relations and tourism be promoted (between them).

Indus Guides Managing-Director Muhammad Akhtar Mummunka briefed the minister on “developing sustainable tourism” in the two countries.

At a dialogue with the travel industry and media representatives at a local hotel in the evening, Mr Kadir said Malaysia and Pakistan were united by a centuries old bond of shared history, culture, beliefs and values.

He said Malaysia, having a wide range of hotels and resorts to suit every budget, had lively cities. Availability of hilal food there made it an ideal tourist destination for the Pakistanis, he claimed.

During a question-answer session, Mr Kadir said his country offered all types of leisure activities for tourists from jungle trekking and mountain climbing to white water rafting, scuba diving and cave exploration.

The minister later hosted a “Malaysia - Truly Asia” evening to introduce its culture and traditions through a video presentation.

A Malaysian cultural troupe presented folk dances of various ethnic communities in the country.A large number of diplomats, industrialists and tour operators attended the cultural presentation.