Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr. Fehmida Mirza chaired a meeting of Provincial Ministers for Tourism this afternoon. Matters pertaining to boost tourism potential in the country, particularly with reference to enhance cooperation with Turkey, were discussed. The Minister warmly welcomed the guests and said that tourism industry is world’s vast and fast growing industry that contributes much to the GDP of any country. Unfortunately, in Pakistan this subject was not given due importance in past for various reasons. The Prime Minister is taking keen interest in improving Pakistan’s image abroad and in boosting tourism industry, she added. And for that purpose a Task Force on Tourism under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister with provincial representation, had been constituted by the Federal Cabinet. The recommendations of the task force were briefly discussed. The Minister said that Pakistan has a great potential in tourism. “I have invited all Ministers for Tourism from the provinces to share the recommendations of the Task Force on Tourism and to solicit proposals to reap the benefits of this potential in the country” she added. It was stressed that a collective effort of Federal and Provincial governments is required. After 18th Amendment, although tourism is a provincial subject yet collective efforts are required to address the issues responsible for decline of tourism industry. Suggestions were also sought to strengthen Pak-Turkey cooperation in tourism industry. The provincial ministers and senior representatives from provincial tourism departments discussed, at length, different ideas to improve tourism in Pakistan, the initiatives taken by them and the impediments/ constraints faced by them. It was agreed that Federal Government and Provincial governments need to develop a better mechanism of coordination to strengthen cooperation and to promote positive image of Pakistan abroad and to explore the potential of tourism industry in the country. The meeting was attended by Ali Ameen Gandapur, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Mr. Raja Hamayun, Minister for Higher Education & tourism Punjab, Mr. Muhammad Atif, Minister for Tourism,Sports,culture & Youth Affairs KP, Mr. Mushtaq Minhas, Minister for Tourism AJ & K and by Mr. Fida Minister for Tourism GB. The Prime Minister had constituted a nine member committee for Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) between Pakistan and Turkey. Minister for IPC has been made member of the Committee for Tourism Sector.
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