Call to promote Northern Areas as tourist spots

The tourism sector, if developed on modern lines, can help the country earn millions of dollars foreign exchange.
Imran Nadeem, Advisor on Health and leader of the six-member parliamentary delegation of Northern Areas Legislative Council, currently visiting the Punjab province, in an exclusive interview told APP here on Thursday that the main purpose of the visit was to create awareness among the business community and investors about the vast potential of tourism sector, especially in the scenic northern areas of Pakistan.
If properly developed and promoted, the northern areas could be rated among the world's best tourist spots, he added. He said: "Although rich in natural beauty, these areas are neglected in terms of availability of basic amenities, education and health."
"We the people of northern areas and members of the legislative council have now decided to tour all provinces to motivate and persuade local and foreign investors to invest in the tourism sector," he observed.
"Tourism is the main source of foreign exchange in several countries, like Switzerland, Sri Lanka and India etc," he said, adding, "it has now emerged as a six-billion dollar industry world-wide, and we must develop this sector to attract local and foreign tourists."
INCENTIVES: In response to the incentives' package offered by the Pakistan government, he said, some foreign multinationals have shown interest in the vast investment opportunities existing in the largely neglected northern areas. The country could earn billions of dollars every year from tourism, he asserted.
The delegation called on the Punjab governor, who assured all possible co-operation, and would also meet the chief minister and tourism minister Punjab soon to discuss ways and means to promote tourism on modern lines.
Members of the delegation include Deputy Speaker Muhammad Jaffer, Advisor on Local Government and Transport, Engineer Muhammad Ismail, Agha Muhammad Abbas, Ghulam Ali Haidery and Wazir Hussain, member of the legislative council.