SUKKUR, July 29: The government is making all-out efforts to promote tourism in the country and the visa policy has been relaxed for 24 countries in the world.

Federal Minister for Culture and Tourism Nelofar Bakhtiar stated this during her visit to Masoom Shah minaret, Satyan-Jo-Asthan and Sadhu Belo on Saturday.

She stressed the need of proper preservation and conservation of ancient, archaeological and historical places in the district.

DCO Shafique Ahmed Khoso briefed the minister about the historical background of the cultural heritage of Sindh and ancient sites and places of the district.

She also attended a briefing presented to her by District Nazim Nasir Hussain Shah about requirements for promotion of tourism.

The nazim called for setting up of PTDC hotels and canteens in Sukkur and Arore and PTDC counters at airport and railway station of Sukkur where brochures for guiding tourists be made available.

He said that a team of the Shah Latif University had discovered 5,000-year-old town of Lakhyun-Jo-Daro in the heart of the Sukkur city.

The site belonged to the Indus valley civilisation.

The nazim demanded an allocation of more funds for preservation and conservation of the historical places.

He called upon the minister to provide funds for starting a ferry service and setting up of a jetty at Satiyun-Jo-Asthan to facilitate tourists to visit the historical site.

The minister also inaugurated a Montessori school being run by the APWA club.