Punjab to restore 170 tourist sites

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved in principle a plan for the construction, repair and restoration of 170 tourist sites and trails in the province.

Presiding over a meeting, she also approved a proposal to set up the first Tourism and Heritage Authority of Punjab. It was decided that tourist sites would be developed in various cities, including Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Chakwal and Jhelum.

The participants agreed to develop the Changa Manga Forest Park and Lal Suhanra National Park for the promotion of eco-tourism. It was also agreed in the meeting that the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025 will be presented to improve governance for the promotion of tourism.

The participants were informed in a briefing that the first complete tourism app of Punjab had been developed and would be launched soon.

The app will allow a virtual tour of 170 tourist destinations. The 'Magnificent Punjab APP' includes all the features related to tourism, including travel and hotel bookings. Food delivery and other services will also be obtained through the app along with information through a chatbot.

The chief minister approved Punjab's largest and most comprehensive tourism plan, under which religious, historical, ancient heritage, antiquities and ecotourism will be promoted across the province.

Tourist villages will also be built to give them a sense of proximity to ancient civilisation.

Tourist trails will also be developed for the first time in Punjab.

Mall Road, Walled City of Lahore, Sikh sites and Mughal monuments of GT Road are included in the tourist trails. The Salt Range, Bhati Gate, Gujranwala, Aimanabad and Sikh tourism trails will also be developed. Under the plan, tourist places of various cities will be developed as tourism clusters.

The Taxila Museum, Dharma Rachi Ka, Jolian, Sarkep and Giri Fort related to Gandhara civilisation are also included in the tourism plan.

Multan's living heritage site Qila Kuhna Qasim Bagh will be restored as a symbol of the Indus Valley civilisation.

A trail will be developed in Uch Sharif for the convenience of pilgrims.

A proposal to restore the ancient buildings of Gurdwaras and churches for the promotion of tourism was also reviewed.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on the occasion, "We are laying the foundation for the promotion of global tourism in Punjab."

She said the government wanted to develop all tourist destinations as per international standards. Taxila will be made a complete tourist site where a five-star hotel will also be built.

She added, "We have placed our entire focus on the promotion of tourism in Punjab where a tourist hub will be established."