26 September 2004	Sunday	10 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Sept 25: The National Assembly was on Friday informed that a new tourism policy would be announced within three months to take the tourism sector to industry level.

"Tourism has great potential as this sector is contributing a lot to several countries' economies," Minister for Tourism Dr Ghazi Ghulab Jamal told the house in response to a question by Liaquat Baloch.

To a supplementary question of Kunwar Khalid Yunus, the minister said law and order situation was improving in the country which would help further promote tourism.

He, however, added that for promotion of tourism, the private sector as well as the masses should help the government.

In response to another supplementary by Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Dr Jamal said the country earned $135 million through tourism during the fiscal year 2003-04.

At present, the PTDC operates 38 motels and roadside facilities, he said, adding the hotels and motels earned Rs23.683 million last year.

In response to a question by Rana Asif Tauseef, Minister of State for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Mohammad Ali Durrani said the performance of national hockey team had not been consistent during the last many years.

However, the government is committed to providing maximum possible financial, infrastructural and administrative support to the Pakistan Hockey Federation for promotion of the game, he added.

Responding to a couple of supplementary questions by Laeeq Khan, Tasneem Ahmad Qureshi and Kunwar Khalid Yunus, Mr Durrani said there was a need to revamp country's sports policy to achieve better results at the international level.-APP