GILGIT: Veteran tour operator Najeeb Khan has been elected chairman of the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (Pato) for a two-year term as elections for the leadership and 12 other office bearers were held across the country with polling stations in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

Mr Khan secured the highest number of votes, 81 out of 176. He succeeds Captain Niaz Ahmed, a retired Pakistan International Airlines pilot, the organisation said in a statement.

Sajjad Hussain Shah was elected senior vice chairman, while Arif Hussain, Mohammad Umar and Mumtaz Hussain were named vice chairmen.

Hailing from GB’s Astore District, Mr Khan brings more than three decades of international tourism marketing experience to Pato, a registered body of government-licensed inbound tour operators.

Mr Khan assumes the role amid high fuel prices and travel uncertainty affecting long-haul flights. However, he told Dawn that international tourism to Pakistan will continue to grow because it is a “truly unique mountain destination”.

His priorities include sustainable industry growth, capacity building for adventure tour operators and organising training workshops to meet international standards.

“We will strongly advocate for a more tourist-friendly visa regime and ease of travel for international tourists visiting Pakistan,” Mr Khan said.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026