PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Lakomov and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Khan agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and step up tourism cooperation between the two countries.
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In a meeting on Tuesday, Lakomov informed the PTDC MD that he had visited numerous places in Pakistan and found that there was a huge potential, which required proper publicity and promotion. The ambassador said he also visited Gilgit-Baltistan, Lahore and Moenjo Daro and was impressed by the historical place.
“Ukraine has a number of ski resorts where a large number of adventure tourists participate in annual ski tournaments. Last year, a number of tourists from Ukraine visited Pakistan to participate in the skiing tournament at Nailer,” the ambassador added.
He appreciated the role of Pakistan Ambassador to Ukraine Athar Abbas for promoting Pakistani tourism in Ukraine. Speaking on the occasion, the PTDC MD invited the Ukrainian envoy to visit Swat Valley, Ayubia and Nathia Gali. He also presented the ambassador a copy of the newly published Amazing Pakistan magazine.
Ghafoor said that in the past, tourism was a neglected sector, but the present government was committed to developing Pakistan into an international hub for business and tourism. He recalled that he had visited Thailand and met the tourism police chief in order to learn from their experience and launch a similar force in Pakistan.
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“CPEC is the future of Pakistan, which will create millions of jobs not only for the country, but also for the region, with the launch of billions of dollars worth of economic activities,” Ghafoor said. “We are presently focusing on Gilgit-Baltistan and soon a ski resort will be developed at Natter Valley in addition to a five-star hotel close to the river in Gilgit,” he said.
“We are offering 25 acres of land in Islamabad for the development of a tourist resort and PTDC’s ongoing projects are also available for joint ventures.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2017.
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