Tourists’ Murder: Conspiracy to malign Pakistan: minister

Riaz Hussain Pirzada informed that elements trying to malign Pakistan are involved in the tourists killings in G-B

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada informed the lower house that elements who want to malign Pakistan are involved in the killing of tourists in Gilgit Baltistan. The minister informed the National Assembly that foolproof security arrangements were made by the Interior Ministry for the tourists. He said around 1,161,245 tourists from inside and outside the country visited Pakistan’s various areas during 2011. Pirzada said according to 18th amendment, Ministry of Tourism has been devolved to provincial governments. Assets of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation would be handed over to the provincial governments soon, he added. He said tourism in the country had been badly affected due to terrorist activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2013.