CM vows to promote tourism industry

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that her government is determined to promote the tourism sector as an industry.

Speaking to a 25-member delegation of the Economic Corporation Organisation headed by Secretary General Asad Majeed Khan, she thanked Turkmenistan for extending its support in declaring Lahore as the ECO tourism capital. The delegation comprised permanent delegates to the ECO from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

She said Lahore's gardens and Shahi Qila are among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. "Lahore is not only the guardian of history but also the hub of culinary tastes and flavours. Punjab is fully ready to host tourists," she said.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "The Punjab government is determined to promote the tourism sector as a new industry. It is not only upgrading tourist sites in Lahore but in the entire province. Every possible facility is being provided to the domestic and foreign tourists."

She said Punjab is becoming an emerging centre of business, technology and services. "Punjab has immense opportunities in agriculture, technology, tourism, education, industry and other sectors. Paths have been paved for foreign investors to invest in every sector in Punjab."

The participants of the delegation said Lahore is rich in cultural diversity.

United States Congressmen Tom Suozzi and Jonathan Jackson also met the chief minister and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting broad-based bilateral cooperation for investment and economic progress in Punjab.