Tourism, mineral resources: Balochistan offers vast opportunities for investment: CM

Balochistan offers immense opportunities for investment in tourism sector and resources, potential and mileage are promising for the business community, speakers at a seminar stated Monday.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, chief guest at the seminar, talked extensively about cultural and tourism diversity in the province whereas other speakers from the private and public sectors spoke about vast potential Balochistan offers in tourism sector. Seminar "Promotion of Tourism in Balochistan" was organized by Culture, Tourism and Archives Department of Balochistan.

Jamal Kamal said that Balochistan tourism industry has untapped potentials for the world and a source of economic development for the country and believed that Balochistan tourism attractions may attract foreign as well as local travellers.

Chief Minister Balochistan assured his full support to investors and said government is committed to facilitate and promote tourism industry in the country.

While lauding the efforts for the seminar he said, seminar will pave the way to develop the tourism sector, which is our priority. "This sector is very significant and can play a part in the reduction of poverty whilst promoting the country's cultural and natural heritage and creating thousands of new employment opportunities," he added.

Chief minister also dispelled the impression about the grave security concerns in the province and said that these might be like the few ones any where the world except the very few places.

Other speakers said that Balochistan has immense potential for tourism and tremendous opportunities for investors. The province that makes almost 44% of Pakistan's total area still remains the mystery to the whole world. It has mystical stories and mind-boggling beauty.

Captain Fazeel Asghar (Retd), Chief Secretary Balochistan said that coastline of the province offered immense attraction to tourists and disclosed the tourists resorts would be established on it from Gaddani to Gwadar. "Come and invest in this sector and grab the dividends", Chief Secretary stated by inviting the investors.

Meanwhile, Secretary Culture Tourism and Archives Department Zafar Ali Buledi and other experts also shared their presentations on the tourist sites of Balochistan.

Other speakers spoke about the government's role to promote the tourism industry by providing the best possible facilities to showcase rich cultural heritage, rare archaeological treasures.

They added that the public and the private sector partnership will help in promoting tourism industry in the country.

They talked about different tourism sites including Pirghayab water falls (the invisible saint waterfall). MoolaChotok, Hannah Jheel (lake), house of the founder of nation in Ziarat, Hingol national park, mesmerizing beaches of scenic coastal area of Balochistan such as from Gaddani, Ormara, Gwadar and all the way to Jiwani, Pir Chattal Noorani's Oasis, Astola island Pasni, Jhal Magsi dessert safari, Mehr Garh the oldest archaeological site in South Asia and precursor of Indus Valley Civilization.

Aftab-ur-Rana, President, Sustainable Tourism Rehman Foundation Pakistan and Tourism Expert, Nadeem Sharif, Chairman TAAP (Travel Agents Association of Pakistan), Convener of culture and heritage group under NTCB (National Tourism Coordination Board) Huma Mustafa other distinguished guests and officials were also present at the seminar.