THE killing of a mountaineers’ group on the Nanga Parbat base camp triggered a countrywide debate on tourism business in Pakistan mostly attributed to terrorism and the poor security situation.

Terrorism is a poison to all types of business, including tourism.

However, the fact is that our tourism business has been on the decline for quite some time and, in fact, it never grew the way it did in the rest of the world.

Pakistan has places ranking in the best of the world not only in the north but also in Lahore, Moenjodaro, Thatta, along coastal line and many more.

The tourism ministry should confine itself to policymaking and regulations, while entire tourism must be handed over to the private sector.

Tourism should be declared an industry, and the private sector should be given all incentives.

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation should also be sold to the private sector.

Its motels are nothing but official rest-houses, lacking a commercial touch.

The security of tourists should be managed by private agencies with the help of the police and army.

FAROOQ ALI Karachi