Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Islamabad, Pakistan
The Daily Times
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that the government was working on a comprehensive plan to tap the tourism potential of the country including simplifying visa and other travel procedures for tourists wanting to visit in the northern areas.
He was talking to Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili sect, who called on him at the Prime Minister House. Aziz said that Pakistan had a lot of potential for tourism and necessary facilities were being made to facilitate tourists. He said plans were underway to offer tourist packages for Gandhara and the northern areas to attract more tourists.
Investment and business opportunities in the country were also discussed during the meeting. The PM said that numerous investment opportunities had been created as a result of the government’s investor-friendly policies. He referred to the construction of a new airport, which would resume flights to Islamabad.
He said there was vast scope for investment in the hotel industry in Islamabad and a number of new hotels were being constructed. The PM said that Islamabad, by virtue of its location and scenic beauty, had the potential to become a regional tourism hub.
Aziz emphasised the need for promoting inter-faith dialogue, saying that people belonging to various faiths needed to work on promoting interfaith harmony for durable peace and prosperity in the world.
The PM told Prince Karim about the government’s plans for rebuilding, rehabilitation and restoration of roads and other infrastructure in the earthquake-affected areas.
Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the PM said that Pakistan wanted stability and socio-economic development in Afghanistan and had been supporting and assisting Afghanistan in the reconstruction and development process.
Prince Karim thanked the PM for the government’s assistance and the interest shown in setting up an Education City in Karachi. The Prince said that Aga Khan University’s expansion was underway and the academic planning was moving ahead. He said that at least six new graduate schools would be set up in the education city and the University would offer facilities in a wide range of disciplines including science, arts and humanities.
Prince Karim appreciated the investment friendly policies of the government. He said that Aga Khan Foundation was planning to launch more ventures in Pakistan. Agencies