Time to come closer, India and Pakistan. 90% people want peace.

Yet another tall claim by the ex PPP and current P.T.I. "mover and shaker" in Jhelum and Islamabad. Remember the centuries old saying, " a person of words and not of deeds, is like a garden full of weeds."

Wish to visit your amazing country some day.

An excellent initiative, e visas are common and many African countries have this facility which is shameful that Pakistan is only just catching up. Pakistan has so much beauty and culture, it should be promoted.

This initiative alone will boost Pakistan economy. Great work.

Good step but need to work on platform so they feel safe and secure...

Pakistan has a lot to offer and embassies around the world should be promoting this. Great work.

1. Please fix the shabby huts of PTDC before implementing visa on arrival process.

2. Please clean up the northern areas by having a proper system of waste and trash management.

3. The visa on arrival should apply to any individual, not just to a group of tourists.

4. Additionally we must not give visa on arrival to foreign citizens of Indian origin as India does exactly the same to Pakistani-Americans. It's okay to be ambitious but have some self respect.

5. Another aspect which bothers me is that if foreign tourists start coming then the prices will sky rocket. Hotels in Bhurban charge Rs. 25,000 per night which is exorbitant. We Pakistanis cant afford that.

Ermmm country needs to be made safe first. Than a infrastructure needs to be built for foreign tourists including law and order to protect tourists and then finally a advert on global channels starting with Muslim countries. A secluded beach area like Dubai might be an idea which is shut off to rest of Pakistan.

Great initiatives for the promotion of tourism indeed. I hope this will benefit the domestic tourist areas especially GB which has no share in NFC.

Very important and significant step by PM Imran. This is naya Pakistan!!

We have great potential of tourism.great start.now dev tourism related infrastructure

@Mumbaikar, Most welcome any time!

An appreciative, the government take a very good step

@Mumbaikar, Sooner the better. I wish to visit your country also.

Has he visited holiday resorts in Turkey, Morocco and elsewhere? Pakistan has a long way to go and will need to compromise on zia's legacy as well as improve security before tourism can take off

This government has the will, and where there is a will there is a way.

One last heart felt request to PM Khan and his government is to please abolish the Urdu text saying "passport". Since there is no word for passport in Urdu, the best words to use and which are also easily understandable by all Pakistanis are the Arabic words جواز السفر "Jawaz al Safar". We used to have جواز السفر written in the 1980s but it was removed. Please use pure Urdu such as جواز السفر Jawaz al Safar as this is our national language and we must be proud of it. Thank you.

First analyize why tourism is a failure on Pakistan. We can't attract a cricket team to visit Pakistan and we are hoping major tourist surge in Pakistan. On arrival visa policy will attract people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh etc who are already a burden on our economy.

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Very disappointed with your negative comment, at least the Govt is taking initiatives to promote Pakistan and not themselves.

You gave example of Malaysia and turkey. But these countries does not have terrorism. Please first control terrorism here else no one will come

Fantastic idea, everybody should be welcome to come Pakistan

Visa alone won;t work. Infrastructure. And standards.

I visited Khewra salt mine with my kids. Roads are broken. No tourist facilities. No wash facilities. And tourists have to pay in dollars. Locals in rupees. There is one place to eat. Dirty.

Even the great cities like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad are dumping sites for waste. They are ok for internal tourists. But a millions mile away for international tourists.

@Marcus, I think this the self-fear created by foreigners as Pakistan is generally safe country and tourists may come and visit any part without a fear.

The government is taking measures to boost economy. Unfortunately previously looters rulers could not come up with such a brilliant idea to promote tourism. Well done IK.

@Faraz, valid points.

Easy Visa is not a concern. Pakistan should ensure the safety of foreigners in order to develop tourism.

Why some would like to visit Pakistan? The picture of Pakistan (in global view) is not at all good. This initiative is just like asking investors to invest in Pakistan. But should they? Improve the situation in reality and not just giving statement for local consumption.

Game Changer.

@Mumbaikar, So true! Pakistan and India can learn a lot from Germany and France. Imagine in year 2030 exchange students from Karachi visiting Mumbai and New Dehli Students going for an excursion to Lahore. A strong Asian Union and may be a strong Asian currency just like euro......there is so much to achieve.

Still a nightmare to get visa and not good enough. Why to travel in group, if I want to travel I would do it alone.

A new visa policy wont make people visit Pakistan.

I welcome the initiative - but remain sceptical with respect to how one can develop a tourism sector without the necessary infrastructure in place.

But, nevertheless, it is a positive development - and I sincerely hope the government can execute this effectively.

Every Pakistani leader talks about opening up the tourist sector, but it has not happened to date. Hopefully, the current government has allocated sufficient budget and resources to this - as the costs will be very high with respect to good quality roads, trains, hotels, upkeep and maintenance of facilities, landmarks and historical places, along with security and marketing.

Best of Luck.

Where are the jobs?

Great step, this will certainly boost tourism. However please focus on improvement of infrastructure too. If that is taken care, we can earn so much from tourism alone, that we will not need to borrow dollars from anyone

WORK VISA for foreigners? Are you alright minister? Citizen are running to gulf countries for job.

Better airline(s) is the only way to make it happen.. Turkey's example is the more relevant one, Turkey has better and bigger airline which takes so many tourists there everyday, Also facilitate passengers boarded for another country to see Turkey in between their connecting flights or make their stay longer to see the country.

It is essentially a good move.Nevertheless, government,security forces and police need to keep an eye on safety and security of visitors.Mind you,enemies of Pakistan will go to any length to curb the flow of tourists to Pakistan.

Step up your security first.

India included? Best potential tourists are Indians and some Chinese....

Can you list the countries ..................

Before you invite tourists in Pakistan you need to develop infrastructure required for tourism. Develop your national airliner which has pathetic planes and service, you clean your airports and improve their services, you develop roads, streets and cleanliness, you remove and dump junk taxis and bring new taxi services at airports and cities, you develop good clean restaurants with proper hygienic system and most of all arrange proper security. Just merely flexing visa services will not attract tourists.

@Ahmed, But are you sure this visa on arrival facitlity you are referring to will be available to the passport holders of these two countries ?

When Will Start This New Visa Policy?

Tourism is Pakistan’s signature service. Great step.

Good luck with Western tourists.

When Pakistani passport will have visa free status for those countries ?

I hope India is not included. They will send in more Kubushan yadevs. Bewarned.

Dear government please first Solve law and order situation. Who will come to this country if common citizens are not safe.

Reform police and separate them from political and power influence. Make proper collection for Garbage and waste. Provide fast and merit base justice to venerable citizens.

We should make it easy for Indian tourists to come and travel to Pakistan. Lets show a big heart.

Nice!

@Mumbaikar, 100% want peace starting from IOK, where a heavenly place has been turned into he'll by the occupying Indian army.

Yes, this is Naya Pakistan. Well done.

It would be a touristic paradise,provided the infrastructure is developed.Today in which the roads and the state of the beaches are is pitiable,plus there are no resorts or good 5 star hotels available as are in the countries given as example such as Malaysia and Turkey.We must develop our tourist spots and only then will they attract tourists.Anyway's my main concern are the security concerns,which could be compromised by extending visa on arrivals to people from the US and UK,particularly of Indian -origin.

'Visa on arrival will also be provided to Indian-origin British and American citizens holding United States or United Kingdom passports.'

Kubushan yadev was holding multiple passports. These people should apply for Visa from local embassy in their own location before coming.

@Mumbaikar, After Kashmir is resolved.

@Faraz, I agree with all your points esp # 4.

@Tanweer Khan, i agree.. all the places i have visited as a tourist have good public transport to get around the city... fawad chaudhry is comparing with malaysia and turkey, having visited kl and istanbul you can easily get around the cities using public transport.. until pakistan has that we should stop dreaming about comparisons.

@Asad Abbas, Yes Asad Bhai you are absolutely right. Wish I can visit Pakistan some day and welcome many of you to India. We have a rich shared heritage !

Pakistan which has the world's most beautiful mountains, historic, religious and cultural sites welcomes the world. Pakistan stands for "peace and friendship" with all, especially with its neighbors India, Afghanistan and Iran.

Tourism will increase only, when Indians from India starts visiting Pakistan and for that you have to eliminate the visa requirement for Indians forever or at least for 180 days at a time ,

amazing decision by pakistan. Imran khan making great decisions since coming to power

First get the foreign airlines to resume service to Pakistan. They will resume the service only when they are convinced the security had improved in Pakistan to their satisfaction

We should advertise / promote our " Shoe industry " and " Custom Tailoring with best Fabrics ". In short tourists can enjoy sightseeing and shop for a " Complete New Custom made wardrobe ".

What about Indians and Pakistani with Canadian passports?

@Nadeem Samad, good point.

I am guessing he was referring to visas for foreigners that are either doing business in Pakistan or for the staff of MNCs that are seconded to Pakistan.

If Pakistan could genuinely exploit the tourism sector, many jobs could be created. It is a beautiful country, and as a British Pakistani I would love to tour around it. However, despite various attempts, this has never materialised for me - largely due to there being no infrastructure for tourism in place.

But I live in hope.

Pakistan is favorite destination for tourism to Northern areas, Kashmir and Swat are the natural places with greenery, Water streams, dense forests. Gilgit Baltistan has the valleys of highest peak like K2 and others. We want Pakistan is to promote tourism and help local travel operators to educate.

Unfortunately India and I believe Pakistan did not exploit the opportunities for tourism. The problem is hospitality, infrastructure and respect for the environment.

The people in Thailand love tourists and take care of them at very affordable price. In Switzerland every corner of the country can be reached by public transportation. The cleanliness is unbelievable. The country is safe.

Pakistan needs to improve safety and its image first. If well protected cricket teams do not feel safe, it can't expected unprotected foreigners feel safe.

It needs to be religious tolerant. Malaysia and Turkey are secular in practice.

There should be no visa at all between India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Srilanka.

Excellent work

Can the foreign tourists allowed to visit Baluchistan?

Good intent. But Malaysia doesn't JUST have beaches. They have amazing tourism infrastructure as well. Pakistan has amazing natural beauty, but the infrastructure is lacking. Maybe start by developing 10 great tourist spots, and then we're somewhere. Also need tourist landmarks. How about an underwater hotel in Gwadar? A world class water park in Lahore? A snow leopard themed town in the north? Don't be lazy. Tourists don't spend their dollars for nothing.

Govt should not give visa to Indian and Afghanistan. Need to be stop. Both our enemy

@Faraz, sorry but irrelevant point in this context!

@Always Indian,
Please don't come to Pakistan. Thanks.

@Mumbaikar, Zak is that you.

A good initiative, not enough though.

I wish my country the best. They have a lot to offer and I hope the world sees it and especially we live peacefully with our neighbors with open borders.

@M.Sethi, you have any evidence that people of Indian origin from US and UK are causing any issues in Pakistan? Stop making nonsensical comments!

Great news for international tourism in Pakistan!

Please find the list of e-visa eligible countries and add that list to this article. Also, include a link to the website where the e-visa application can be submitted. Thank you Dawn News!

Before making visa process simple and easy, it is better that Pakistan should strengthen its police force or create a new force similar to the one of Saudi Arabia to make sure that the tourists do not overstay or skip away. It is feared that Indians and Afghans, taking the commonness of their features, languages and presence of large number of their relatives in Pakistan, would want to stay in Pakistan against their visa restrictions. Saudi Arabia handles millions of pilgrims but due to their commitment and nationhood spirit are able to monitor every single person until he returned to his home country. The current police force is not equipped or trained to handle the tourists and nab them after their visa is expired.

Wow! Pakistan will earn 40bn from tourism! Where else you can get beaches, mountains, rivers and such hospitable hosts!

My kids would love to come to Pakistan for vacations like many other US born Pakistani origin kids. But few things are very important for second generation... SAFETY-FACILITIES-CLEANLINESS-SERVICE. China alone can fill up Pakistan's tourism budget if proper marketing is done in China.

Buddhist tourism is hit in India and Nepal. Pakistan has such a great monuments of ancient ruins of Buddhism. First the people of the land must understand the importance of maintaining these culture of the past. The tourist will come when there is infrastructure and security, then the money will come with the tourist.

Excellent initiative by the government to promote tourism.

There is still a lot to do to promote tourism and make Pakistan one of the favourite tourist destinations.

Areas that require attention are:

Improvement of roads and infrastructure especially in Northern areas. Availability of quality accommodations/hotels and restaurants. Availability of public conveniences. Medical facilities. Fit for purpose policing and Emergency rescue service.

Paying gust arrangements may also be explored and a register maintained.

This is all good but what is this government doing to improve tourist infrastructure? Are our hotels in Northern Areas of international standards, is broad band internet available in those areas, Are our airports ready to greet and guide tourists, is it safe for tourist move around in our country...some basic questions..

We talk a lot but any tourist coming to our country wouldn't like the prevailing corrupt system in the country so we must first behave like Turkish or Malaysian.

How many actually came from 175 countries?

Highly appreciable initiative by the PTI government. Hats off to you all.

For a world traveler like, this is a great idea and it should be implemented. To encourage tourists, Pakistan will have to upgrade its infrastructure and facilities like hotels, transportation and educate people to tolerant and respectful of others. My biggest concern will be the safety and security of the tourists which includes stealing and pickpocketing.

To add to my previous comment - Development and mapping of trekking paths in hilly areas.

Can Indians get e-visas?

This is sensible policy !

What about safety?

Sir you need to establish Tourist Facilitation & Coordination Department. You need to hire teams of trained guides. You need to formulate Tourism Packages in coordination with Airlines. You need to draw up tourist routes and accommodation spots with decent facilities. Last but not least, have a check on security issues other than terrorism; kidnap for ransom, snatching and cheating.

Tourists are not coming because of visa or because of security conditions in our country?

Other than religious tourists from India, I'm curious who else visits Pakistan when they are not of Pakistani descent. Sure there are some mountain climbers, but their numbers are very limited. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Next fix the services sector. Implement price control and quality of products. Safeguard both clients and service providers.

@Mumbaikar, - "Wish to visit your amazing country some day."

I don't think you will get Indian visa so easily, given the circumstances. But thanks for the words anyway.

Excellent initiative. But knowing that first impression is the last, the government must improve infrastructure, hotel/motel facilities, transportation and security to the level that a foreign tourist will be comfortable with. Poor implementation of a good policy can do more harm than good.

@Mumbaikar, you are most welcome. You’ll find the Pakistanis warm and hospitable

That's good. But work on improving security on the streets, as well. And, yes haul all that trash piled on the corners of the streets to improve health safety for your tourists.

Make it available to all Indians we will make tons of money in VISA fees and their shopping.

Giving relaxation to US and UK Citizens of Indian origin is a huge undertaking given the unwavering confrontational acts of Indian government. This could be considered a second step of Imran Khan's government towards peace with India. I hope India will do the same and perhaps the two countries could leave peace for coming generations rather than the lingering tensions.

Keep it up...

While e-visas may make getting Visas easier, does the minister think that delays in visa processes is what is keeping people from comining to Pakistan? This is a great solution... but not to the relevant problem.

According to Malaysian tourism website, 60% of Malaysian tourists come from their neighboring countries - Singapore and Indonesia. Perhaps Pakistan should look at visa on arrival for Indian tourists. About 50 million Indian tourists are expected to travel abroad next year, and Indians are known to spend a lot when traveling abroad.

Finally. Yes there is no doubts that our country can earn billions of $ from tourism.

Still need to work hard to facilitate tourists, I am sure private sector will do best for tourism.

@Pervez, true, also you can learn a lot from the Indian tourist industry. Despite some similar problems tourists from all over the world are flocking to India which earns billions for them. Over the last few years they have developed world class hotels, resorts and infrastructure. Being an open society with modern outlook is also necessary.

A game changer in the region.

Why not make it completely visa free?

To all the people who are passing comments such as "impossible without infrastructure, no comparison to Turkey/Malaysia, etc"...try actually reading the article. The visa relaxation is in tandem with ongoing campaigns to DEVELOP tourist hotspots, which means tackling these exact hurdles. It's right there in the article.

As for people talking about terrorism, do some research on how many foreign females have been abducted and assaulted in hindustan. Or how many terrorist school shootings happen in the US. Somehow these places still attract tourists. Of course it's in our interest to eliminate violent extremism, but let's not listen to the sermons of outsiders who are pretending this happens in Pakistan alone.

@Pervez,
Do you think there is only one India country in the world ? India is too small compare to the whole world. You must understand India is our enemy. We cannot allow India to spy inside Pakistan. We can make a lot of money if whole world tourism in Pakistan compare to India is too small from world. World is welcome except Indian.

The tourist will not start coming immediately after relaxing Visa rules. they will increase in numbers gradually. As the will start flowing to common citizens. They will develop infrastructure in their respective areas. people have a lot of money in Pakistan. They will invest as they will see returns

While comparing Turkey or Malaysia for tourist business in Dollars , also compare how the people stand in queue or where they throw the garbage.

Bad idea. you will have people from completely unwanted countries entering country and then never going back.

what about safety measures of tourists?

@Mumbaikar, I fully concur. A visa free Indo -Pak zone would be a great starting point for mutual rapprochement. Milne Do.

@Mumbaikar, WHAT does this have to do with India??

And please start issuing machine readable visa stickers instead of the old school hand written ones!

If we are giving this e-visa facility and all sorts of visa relaxations to so many countries what are we getting on reciprocal basis? There are hardly 27 countries in the world where we can go visa free on Pakistani passport and maybe another 8 or 9 countries where we can obtain direct e-visas. Majority of developed nations have extremely strict visa policies for Pakistani citizens that 90% people can't meet. So why are we keen to give them one sided facilities? Surely, we can negotiate mutual visa policies with many countries?

Regarding the new liberal visa policy, I want to draw the attention of govt of Pakistan towards visa on arrival for Indian origin British and US passport holder, it is a good gesture but do you know about the strict visa policy Of India for US/Canadian passport holder of Pakistani origin. It is the most ridiculous, the Indian visa centers ask persons falling in this category to get a Pakistani passport for visa or surrender their Pakistani nationality and then only they can travel on passports of their current citizenship. Even after fulfilling this condition a lot of other paperwork is required, the treatment of Embassy staff towards Pakistani is too rude., Seems their policy is to discourage Pakistani to travel to India. I am writing this as I have gone through this bad experience at Indian Consulate in Toronto. To confirm my statement go on Indian embassy website.

Eliminating visa or making visa process easy is like placing dinner plates on the table and hoping for a delicious meal.

@Faraz, let the prices go wrap. Let the competitors show up. Let the economy roll.

@Shahryar Shirazi, wish I could have got the visa.. i would have got my list of all famous restaurants ready in my wallet!!

@Daskalos, If you wait for reciprocity and those countries are unwilling to provide visa on arrival for Pakistani citizens, you have two options: 1) Deny them visa on arrival and if that reduces number of tourists coming to Pakistan, so be it. 2) Provide them visa on arrival and benefit from incremental tourism which creates jobs in Pakistan - even if they are unwilling to provide similar facility to Pakistanis.

Your government picked option 2 which is a better option for people of Pakistan.

Well done PTI. Please cut red tapism every where.

@RationalBabu , Pakistan opening up their visas for Americans and British of Indian origin will put pressure for Indians to do the same.

@Mumbaikar, me too I wish to visit your amazing country too.

Also abolish visa within SAARC countries.

@Zak, you come across as a close minded person open your eyes bro before it is too late

This country is full of beauty..I went to World travel event in London Excel where I saw every country on this planet had stall to show something for their region to inspire travellers...I saw Pakistani stall it was only Gilgit balistan stall which was only promoting Pakistan...we have sindhi, Punjabi, balochi etc culture and every region has own beauty...so please do exhibition and explore beauty of Pakistan...

@Adnan 3, we r npt interested also. Pls dont open kartarpur border.

@Jalbani Baloch, first make ur police so strong that not a single terror act shud take place.

@zia , You are absolutely right. Although I didn't have personal experience of this but have been told by others that British passport holders of Pakistani origin face the same problem.

Excellent. Visa IMO is a single biggest obstacle when people look at their next holiday destination.

@Faraz, Excellent points. Specially on the Indian origin people holding Foreign passports and prices rising. Should have seperate pricing perhaps.

@Always Indian, You mean like Kubushan yadev and the ones caught coming from Dubai, who were kicked out straight away.

Exclude Indians, otherwise terrorism in our country will go up again with bombings and killings of innocent civilians, scaring away genuine foreign tourists. Same applies for those of indian origin foreign passport holders.

@Vijay, Three airlines resuming service and several asking for additional routes.

@Jalbani Baloch, well said. No to Indians and Afghans.

India is a sponsor of terrorism in the region. Do not forget mukti bahini in East Pakistan and BLA in Baluchistan. Now PTM. Do not bring snakes of Ajit Doval.

@Mumbaikar, Bangladesh would be better for you to visit.

Trump will call it "Sanctuary Tourism". Pakistan has always attracted visa free tourists but for wrong

It is a great initiative but will require the satisfactory implementation of the other measures such as infrastructure, safety & security, attractive pricing of facilities etc. India maybe one of the main sources of our tourism industry in the future but it will be wrong to extend the new policy to Indians or people of Indian origin in the current circumstances while the right wing Modi government is perusing a childish policy of Pakistan bashing. No need to appease the extremists in Delhi.

@Bilal, You are spot on, even one incident in Tunisia has sadly destroyed tourism.

@Faraz, pure urdu? It's pure Arabic. Which is as foreign a language as English. And if that is the case we might as well use passport which is better understood internationaly.

@Mumbaikar, why to face fundamentalists ire?

@Marcus, well said bro

@RationalBabu , Not causing any trouble but I know that as a Pakistani-American, I am not allowed into India without having to go the Indian Embassy for a Visa and treated like a criminal with my U.S passport . So why extend the courtesy to Indians of British or US origins?

@Amin Ansari, u r most welcome

@Bilal, u r correct

@Shyam, You really must be dreaming.!!

Even to consider giving Indians a visa after knowing what their policy is towards us Pakistani's is an outrage.! PTI is becoming a Joke,! and to think I used to support PTI.!

@MAkram, I totally agree with your comment.

When the government announces the new visa policy, please make it simple. A small fee on arrival? NO. I think it should be on line don’t make it difficult. We don’t mind paying a one FEE.

Mumbaikar

You are always welcome in our country. Peace is good for everyone in subcontinent

@Marcus, Indian in disguise?

@Mumbaikar, You are more than welcome bro.

@Marcus, Dude you have to take the initiative first ad see the response is before start pouring tax payers hard earn money. Good initiative by the P.T.I. government.

@ Faraz correct points I agree.

----Additionally we must not give visa on arrival to foreign citizens of Indian origin as India does exactly the same to Pakistani-Americans. It's okay to be ambitious but have some self respect. This is a tough one and I have to agree with you because this is only one sided I have been to India before and it's always trouble all due to politics.

Very sad for me to say you are right @ Faraz as I love Indo people to come to Pakistan I would love to show them Sindh where India was born.

@Vishal Kumar, Dear, Pakistan is much more safer than the USA or any Latin American country. The point is that we didn't do good job in promoting Pakistan after the terrible incident of 911 which we had nothing to do with and a stupid war was imposed upon us. Brasil, Guatemala, Peru, Argentina and even United States is not safe at all but they know how to promote their country and everyone believes it is hunky dory over here.

@UM, yes.

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, So sad to see a very negative comment from you. Think positive and things will become positive.

@Faraz, I must say that two wrongs don't make a right it's very sad for me to disagree with you brother and I think it's OK to give visa to Indian American/British Indian as they would know on the ground Pak people love Indo people and eventually this flawed mind of Hindutava rss mafia of not giving visa to PakAmerican/British Pakistanis or Pakistani origin people.

Welcome my Indo family. I will now try to get IOTA certifications so I can welcome people in my Pak Dharti. I know Sindh very well and I have connection through out Pakistan.

@Mumbaikar, You are most welcome

I am British Pakistani and applied for visit visa through my employer. I was told that visa applications of Pakistan born people are not even considered and rejected straightaway. I waited for about 2 months and then took my passport back, as they refused visa.

This is the best news I received from PTI government. I wish all our friends from across the world would visit this beautiful landscape. I sincerely hope that India will also respond the same way to British and American nationals of Pakistani origin.

Good positive approach Mr. Fawad Chaudhry....its never too late !

@Faraz, as our language is derived from Arabic and Farsi. so your suggestion is logical.

@Bilal, which world do you live in are you suggesting the PKK throw petals.

@Dr Salaria, Try appreciating for good efforts. It is free. All the efforts are towards prosperity with good intention, although govt machinery is difficult to manage but let’s hope for the best.

No e Visa should be given to Indians as they dont give even normal Visa to Pakistanis and even o their foreign born children

Please grant visa to Indians of age 65 and above on arrival irrespective of reciprocal gesture by India. Beside site seeing, tourist wants to have fun and enjoy good lodges and hotel stays. Government should build very good holiday day resorts at scenic locations. State government should pay serious attention to Town and country side planning.The haphazard construction is defacing country side. The tourists should feel secure without seeing full geared security personnel.

Good progress so far on the plan building. Good job

ban plastic bags... enjoy cleaner Pakistan...

Good moving, but not by words need implementation by seriously,if PAKISTAN allow 175 countries,same 175 countries allow PAKISTAN. Inshaallah

To attract tourists from other countries, minister, please provide 100 % security to tourists.

I hope it includes resident Indians also. Maybe flight connectivity is also improved. Then you will see the real Indians not the media image of them(including Indian media).

4.7 million Indian Tourists went abroad in 2017.

With appropriate policies in place Pakistan can easily get 1 million Indian Tourists.

If these tourists just spend 1000 USD per head, that would add 1 billion USD to the Pakistan economy.

Indian origin British and US citizens only included. Why not citizens of Australia, Canada or similar other countries too?

@Fazal Karim, No indians of any age. Restrict travel on necessity basis like medical tourism, then out straight .

@Mumbaikar, Prove your worthiness by implementing UN kashmir plebiscite. Otherwise, No.

@Hasnain Haque, Our problem, we have a rogue neighbour that sponsors terrorism in our country. But we have broken their proxys back.

@Imtiaz Ali Khan, Resolve Kashmir and when kashmiri blood stops flowing in IOK, we can talk. Till then stay in your dharti

How come Modiji Missed this idea ?

I am sure India would not be one among the 175 countries .

That is genuine welcome step. However, PATO is the representative body of the government licensed Pakistani tour operators and its member organizations should have considered for the role not the IATA because IATIA is an international organization of travel agents.

@Ahmed, agree and we need to improve our over all law and order conditions before going for secondary measures.

Sponsor trips for Arab TV channels and they will showcase Pakistan to the Arab world who would love to visit the mountains and snow.

East Punjab and West Punjab. We are blood brothers. We welcome you and you welcome us with open heart. Heard lot of heart touching stories of hospitality of all Pakistanis towards Indian Punjabis

My father was studying in FC College Lahore before jumping into freedom movement. Heard and know lot of placed to visit and eat in Lahore. What are the best places to stay in Lahore?

Please invest in the infrastructure of tourist regions in order to accommodate tourists. Nothing worse than marketing Pakistan when you don't have proper roads, hotels, and safety measures in place.

Why should we be issuing Home Maid Visas with unemployment so HIGH, it is is the ruling elite who want Filipino or Thi nannies and maids.

Pakistan can make billions from Indian tourists. Places like Swat valley (much better scenario than Srinagar valley) Khunjerab Pass, Thar desert, Bolan pass, Khyber pass et. are most sought after tourist places besides Peshawar market etc.

Why his face is twisted

Such Policy should be bi-lateral. Other Countries should also entertain Pakistanis with same polices and procedure with relaxation in their visa policy.

Keeping employment visa aside. Atleast provide relaxation in visit / tourist visa.

More opportunity for the Jihadists to say Hello to Infidels

More opportunity for the World to get to know Pakistan

When even Cricket teams are not ready to visit among military security, why would tourists come to this part? Just 2-3 days back a Pakistani guy raping Australian lawyer went viral in International media. You still fancy your chances? Height of optimism.

Switzerland's whole economy depends on tourism and as mentioned that 20B and 40B earned Malaysia and turkey just through tourism. If we talk of Turkey they are earning about 90% of Pakistan's budgeted amount through tourism. Pakistan is a heaven for tourism no doubt it is bestowed with unlimited natural scenes, the cultures and civilization this country has and had is worth visiting and need a study. A good initiative by this government. Pakistan can easily make 50% for their budget from tourism and no doubt the budget will go surplus. which can be used for contingency as the developing countries face much contingencies

@Mumbaikar, you are always welcome dear brother

@Faraz, I don’t think many foreigners can afford that either.

India should also provide visa on arrival to Pakistani origins Americans And Britishers.

Surprised to see Kuwait on the list, Pakistanis are banned from travelling to Kuwait. Visa policy should be reciprocated in kind.

V good

Amazing news.