President General Pervez Musharraf has said Pakistan is promoting tourism which provides an opportunity to project the country's true image in the international community.
In a message on World Tourism Day falling tomorrow (September 27), President Musharraf said Pakistan joins the international community in celebrating the day, with its theme 'Tourism opens doors for women' that highlights the issue of prime importance - promoting gender equality and women empowerment. The President said tourism is a sector of economy that not only employs significant number of women, but provides enormous opportunities for their advancement.
"Pakistan is proud of having an unparalleled combination of history, culture and adventure. As a nation we may be young, but as a land we are custodians of the legacies of ancient civilisations of Indus Valley, Gandhara and treasures of the marvellous Moghul heritage," he said.
President Musharraf said Ministry of Tourism's campaign 'Destination Pakistan 2007' was able to create awareness among fellow citizens as well as foreign tourists about the immense tourism potential of Pakistan.
He said as a result of the government's consistent pursuit of the UN's third millennium development goal of promoting gender equality and women empowerment, women are actively playing role in country's political, social and economic spectrum.
"More and more women are joining Pakistan's tourism industry in professions like travel agents, tour operators, guests relations officers, housekeepers etc. There are a number of tour and travel companies in Pakistan which are being successfully run by women chief executives," he added.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his separate message said by actively participating in every social and economic activity, Pakistani women have already proved that they are even better than their fellow male citizens.
"Whether it is the field of education, engineering, medicine, computer sciences, social sciences, arts and crafts, business administration or financial management, Pakistani women have excelled in every field of national economy."
Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan is blessed with matchless natural beauty and it is the cradle of many ancient civilisations and religions. He said the country's cultural diversity and architectural heritage are unique and its mountains present opportunities for all types of adventure sports.
He mentioned 'Destination Pakistan 2007' campaign and the several events organised in this regard including Lahore Marathon, First Women Rock Climbing Expedition, National Ski Championship, Cholistan Jeep Rally, in which Pakistani women showed dedication and courage.
The Prime Minister said during last three years, the government brought many positive changes in the country's social and economic set up. He said many discriminatory laws are now history and many new avenues of national development had been opened as a result of gender reforms.
He said with more and more women opting for higher education in social, management and computer sciences, the socio-economic fiber of the society is taking a modern and progressive look.