Minister for Tourism Nilofar Bakhtiar has outlined the calendar of tourism events for 2007, which would take place in all four provinces and in northern areas to highlight the country's positive image across the world.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday at a local hotel, she said that formal inauguration of tourism events would kick start from December 15 in Islamabad, which was aimed to boost up country's tourism sector besides removing a negative image tagged with the country's reputation all over the world. She said that various programmes were part of destination Pakistan 2007, declared by President General Pervez Musharraf.
She said that government was keen to develop basic infrastructure in all those areas identified for events. She said that a marketing plan has also been evolved by the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to generate income through organising tourism event for foreign and local tourists.
Nilofar pointed out that government was going to start training programmes to enhance capabilities of the concerned people pertaining to the tourism affairs.
She also apprised that Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) would hold their annual conference in Pakistan next year.
THE TOURISM CALENDAR FOR 2007, INCLUDES THE PROGRAMMES TO BE HELD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ARE AS FOLLOWED: Lahore Marathon on January 14, Pakistan Tourism Fair January 15-21 Lahore, Sibi Mela February 4-5, National Skiing Championship February 10-15 Malam Jabba, 3rd Cholistan Jeep Rally March 8-10, Channan Pir Festival (Indus Guides) March 8-9, Mehrgarh Conference Quetta March 15, Baisakhi spiritual gathering of Sikhs (Hasan Abdal) April 11-14, Adventure Extreme Sports Deosai Plain Northern Areas April 12-14.
THAR DESERT FESTIVAL, UMERKOT, SINDH, APRIL 16, 18; GHANDHARA WEEK MARCH 26-31; TRAIN SAFARI: Khewra Salt Mines April 24-26; Chitral & Kalash festival May 11-15; Saarc Tourism Mart Karachi May 25-27; Golden Jubilee Celebrations of First ascent of broad peak (8047m)June 9; Pakistan broad peak golden jubilee expedition August 15-30; Shogran festival June 22-29; Hunza Festival & Touris Convention August 25-27; Shandur Polo festival (Chitral, Gilgit) July 7-9; Karakorum car rally July 10-15; Freedom jeep rally Gaddani Beach August 12-14.
International mountain marathon, Hunza September 1-13; International Mountain Bike Race, Kaghan September 7-9; Silk Route Festival (Northern Areas) September 1-6; Sufi festival at Sehwan Sharif September 3-6; International Mountain Tourism Conference, Islamabad September 10-11; Karakorum International Film festival September 10-12; Painted Truck Caravan Karachi to Khyber September 20-24; World Tourism Day celebrations, Peshawar September 27; Jashan-e-Sahil, Gwadar October 15-20; Journey through time: Sound & Light Show, Moenjadaro October 21-28.
International festival of performing arts, Lahore, November 21-27; World Buddhist Congress & Festival of Asian Arts, Crafts, Islamabad, November 24; Pakistan Cultural Train Safari, Peshawar to Karachi, December 1-20; Christmas celebrations, Lahore, December 24; Tourism Convention & Closing ceremony, Islamabad, December 30.
She said that Sikhs were keen to invest in Pakistan in different sectors but government had not yet given them a green signal in this regard. She said that government had introduced a fresh visa policy to provide visa to the citizens of 24 countries on their arrival to Pakistan.
APP adds: Minister for Tourism Nilofar Bakhtiar said that the Indian citizens visiting Pakistan on religious tours, pilgrimages can stay in the country for 15 days rather than five days. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has accorded approval for extension in this period, she said while terming it a major breakthrough. The minister said that for normal tourism, the visa period was 15 days, which has been now extended to 30 days.