ISLAMABAD, April 10: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said the government is working on a comprehensive plan to tap the tourism potential of the country that includes simplifying visa and other procedures for tourists desiring to visit Northern Areas.
He was talking to Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili community, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House.
The prime minister said Pakistan had vast potential in tourism. Necessary facilities are being created to facilitate the tourists and plans are underway for packaging Gandhara and Northern Areas linkages to attract more tourists.
Investment and business opportunities in the country also came under discussion during the meeting.
The prime minister said the numerous investment opportunities had been created as a result of the government’s investor- friendly policies.
In this respect, he referred to the construction of a new airport, which would shortly begin, resumption/initiation of flights to Islamabad by a number of airlines and a host of other factors.
He said there was a vast scope for investment in hotel industry in Islamabad and a number of new hotels were being set up by renowned companies.
Mr Aziz said Islamabad by virtue of its location and scenic beauty had the potential to become a regional tourism hub.
He emphasized the need for promoting inter-civilizational dialogue, saying people belonging to various faiths needed to work harder to promote interfaith harmony to promote peace and prosperity in the world.
He briefed Prince Karim Aga Khan about the government’s plans for rebuilding and rehabilitation of earthquake-affected areas and restoration of roads and other infrastructure.
Prince Karim Aga Khan thanked the prime minister for the government’s assistance and the interest shown by it in setting up of an educational city in Karachi.
The prince said the Aga Khan University expansion was being done and presently academic planning was moving ahead.
He said at least six new graduate schools would be set up in the education city and the university would offer facilities in a wide range of disciplines in science, arts and humanities.
Prince Karim Aga Khan appreciated the investment-friendly policies of the government. He said the Aga Khan Foundation was working on plans to start more ventures in Pakistan.—APP
ISLAMABAD, April 10: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said the government is working on a comprehensive plan to tap the tourism potential of the country that includes simplifying visa and other procedures for tourists desiring to visit Northern Areas.
