KARACHI: Development of tourism facilities in and around this metropolitan city of Karachi has been assigned top priority in the 20-year Perspective Plan prepared by the Tourism Department. A copy of the bulky document which runs into 300 pages was presented to President Mohammad Ayub Khan by the former Tourism Department Chief, Air Marshal Nur Khan, in May this year.

In a nutshell the Plan calls for the development of archaeological sites, organised guided sight-seeing tours, cruising in the harbour, establishment of a dance academy, opening of new handicraft shops, and evolving a well-organised reception system at air and sea ports for foreigners. Arriving foreigners will be greeted at the ports by receptionists to be employed at specially set up administrative offices.

The present duty-free shops at the airports will be improved considerably to keep a large stock of popular commodities, particularly indigenous handicrafts. The dance academy to be established under the Plan, would work towards the promotion of folk arts of the country. It will later be turned into a “recruiting ground for cabaret artistes for hotels and night spots in Karachi and other places,” the Plan says.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015

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