KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday the coastal areas of Balochistan could become a major attraction for tourists from Muslim countries who were reluctant to take their families to Europe and several other global destinations.
Khan arrived in Karachi on a daylong visit to inaugurate the ship lift and transfer system and review the projects initiated by the federal government under the Karachi transformation plan.
Later, he went to Lasbela in Balochistan to inaugurate a tree plantation drive and inspect mangrove forests.
The prime minister said every area in the country had different characteristics, adding that the country should focus on those tourist spots which could attract Muslim population from across the world since western countries were not their preferred destination.
“They don’t want to take their wives and children there,” he said. “So, a place like Pakistan has a great potential to attract people from Muslim countries for tourism.”
Khan added his government had planned to develop beach tourism for which scientific suggestions would be sought from quality consultants.
He recalled how the country’s mountainous regions were developed by the British during the colonial rule, adding that these places had gradually degraded due to heavy construction.
“For the first time, the government is developing new resorts in hill stations while exploring other scenic spots to attract maximum tourists,” he added.
Khan observed that Pakistan’s coastline had largely remained unexplored.
“Balochistan has lagged behind in terms of progress and development since the former federal administrations did not take interest in the province,” he said, adding it was the first time in history a federal government was spending a huge amount of Rs1 trillion ($6 billion) for the development of the region.
Earlier, the prime minister was briefed on the projects launched by his administration in Karachi and was told that Greenline BRTS, the first modern transportation system in Karachi, would become operational in October.
Pakistan’s planning minister Asad Umar listed a number of projects in his Twitter post that the government was hoping to accomplish during the current fiscal year.
PMIK Reviewed progress of 5 federal projects in karachi transformation plan. Green line BRT will start Oct this year. Storm water drains/ sewage/roads project will be completed this fiscal year. K IV, modern KCR & freight corridor projects construction start in this fiscal year
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) August 10, 2021
Khan also inaugurated the ship lift and transfer system at the Karachi shipyard that, he said, would help improve the efficiency of the shipping sector.
“The government is trying to promote exports, encourage overseas Pakistanis to increase remittances and attract foreign investment,” he continued.
The prime minister said nations became strong when they become self-sufficient and trust their potential to flourish.
