LAHORE: Following the passage of the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025, the Punjab government is set to establish the Authority as a centralised institution responsible for policy-making, regulation, development planning, investment promotion, and coordination of all tourism and heritage activities in the province.
Under the new law, the Punjab Chief Minister will serve as the Chairperson of the Authority, with the Punjab Tourism Minister acting as the Vice Chairperson. Additionally, the Authority’s members will include provincial secretaries from various departments: tourism, finance, planning and development, local government, environment, forestry and wildlife, and Auqaf. Other members will encompass the Tourism Managing Director, Directors General of the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Archaeology, the Lahore Museum Director, the PHA Director General, two Members of the Punjab Assembly, and four private-sector experts within the tourism and heritage sectors.
“A unified and empowered authority will accelerate tourism development and preserve our heritage across Punjab,” stated a spokesman for the Punjab Tourism, Archaeology, and Museums Department on Tuesday. He added that the Authority will ensure integrated and efficient decision-making.
The Authority is granted the power to formulate and enforce tourism policies, preserve archaeological and cultural heritage, regulate service standards, impose fees and fines, issue licenses, appoint inspection teams, introduce digital systems, including a centralised tourism database, promote public-private partnerships, raise financing, and protect Punjab’s tangible and intangible heritage while delivering high-quality tourism services. Additionally, it will spearhead global marketing, branding, and promotional efforts to boost both domestic and international tourist arrivals.
Moreover, the Authority will have the power to designate specific locations as tourism or heritage areas, allowing for targeted infrastructure improvements, business regulation, visitor facilitation, environmental protection, and the development of world-class tourism destinations throughout Punjab. To ensure transparency and accountability, any appeal against an action or enforcement decision made by the Authority will be heard by an appellate committee established by the Chief Minister, providing a clear and responsive mechanism for public redress.
The spokesman emphasised that this landmark reform will stimulate investment, expand the hospitality and service industry, create new job opportunities, and enhance community participation. This marks the beginning of a new era in which Punjab’s heritage is innovatively protected, proudly celebrated, and showcased globally through the visionary ‘Magnificent Punjab’ initiative, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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