LAHORE: The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) on Sunday celebrated World Tourism Day at the Shalamar Gardens -- a World Heritage site.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was the chief guest on the occasion. The Farrah Baksh terrace of Shalamar Gardens was adorned with lights. Water fountains and other ornamentation coupled with music made the ambiance just fantastic.

The event was organised by the TDCP, the Archaeology Department and the PHA.

Unveiling the evening, TDCP MD Tanveer Jabbar welcomed the chief minister and said this year’s theme was ‘Tourism - Rural Development’. Mr Jabbar said this year a World Heritage site had been chosen to celebrate the Tourism Day. He said both chief minister and prime minister had tourism on their priority. He said the TDCP would launch its sightseeing bus in Bahawalpur soon.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Tourism Asif Mehmood said that in the past there was no focus on tourism but the government would now leave no stone unturned to boost the tourism. He said new tourism sites were being explored. He said Murree now had become an overstuffed tourist spot therefore, Kotli Sattian, a nearby hill station, would also be developed as a tourist spot.

A short play based on the historical background of Shalamar Gardens was also presented by the PTV team and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the chief minister on whose arrival naqareh (an instrument) was played the way it used to be played during the Mughal times. Budding singers also performed on the occasion.

The chief minister gave away shields and certificates to the winners of a photography competition organised by the TDCP.

PHA: A guided tour was inaugurated at Bagh-e-Jinnah to mark the World Tourism Day, according to a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, PHA Vice Chairman Engineer Yasir Gillani told the media that the PTI had taken revolutionary steps for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan.

“Tourism has a direct impact on social, cultural and economic conditions. And with the help of guided tour facility in Bagh-e-Jinnah Park, the citizens will be able to know the history of historical places and trees in the garden,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2020