NCC set up to promote tourism in country

PM informed strategy for Centre-provinces coordination finalised

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday constituted a National Coordination Committee (NCC) to promote tourism in the country and improve inter-provincial relations and coordination.

Reiterating that the country had immense potential for tourism, the premier ordered to set up the body with directions that its meetings be held regularly.

During the meeting, PM Imran was informed that the National Tourism Strategy for the next 10 years (2020-30) had already been finalised for better coordination between the federation and provinces and promotion of tourism.

The premier was also told that an action plan for the next five years had been formulated keeping in view the 10-year national tourism strategy.

With regard to the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy, PM Imran was apprised that uniform standards had been set for each sector of tourism and a national calendar for various events was being developed.

The premier observed that the government aimed to develop tourist destinations across the country in a manner that they reflect the Pakistani culture and social values.

He noted that the promotion of various types of tourism in the country would accelerate the economic process and create employment opportunities for the local population.

He directed the authorities concerned that a plan for the promotion and development of tourist destinations be immediately launched.

The premier advised that the tourism authorities in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa be completed at the earliest and a campaign be launched to remove encroachments on tourist destinations along with a comprehensive and detailed waste management plan for the vacationers’ spots.

The premier called for devising comprehensive plan to provide quality travel facilities to the tourists in collaboration with the private sector.

He was also briefed on the progress made in the implementation of decisions regarding the better use of government rest houses, Governor Houses and other government lodges.

The prime minister stressed on making the government-owned buildings, including historic structures, Governor Houses and guest houses available for people, saying the revenue generated from them could be utilised for their maintenance.

Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Ministers Sardar Usman Bazdar and Mahmood Khan, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, PM’s special assistants Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Dr Shahbaz Gill and other senior officials attended the meeting.