Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan is an excellent destination for tourists as it presents three broad categories of nature, historic and religious tourism.

Addressing travel writers, tour operators and airlines representatives from home and abroad in Islamabad on Saturday, Aziz said that tourism in Pakistan was evolving and there was very exciting future for tourism industry.

Referring to nature tourism, Aziz said that Pakistan was privileged to have six of the twelve highest peaks in the world in its Northern Areas.

He said that there were three major mountain ranges meeting in Pakistan which include Himalayas, Korakoram and Hindukush. He said that the Northern Areas of Pakistan was the part of the world where there is no pollution, peaceful atmosphere for nature lovers and people are very friendly. He said that for nature lovers Pakistan was unexplored which needs to be projected around the world.

About historic tourism, Aziz said that Pakistan had ancient civilizations in the shape of ancient Indus valley civilization, Moenjadaro and Harappa. He said that the Mughal heritage was at its best in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore including Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Garden and other historic monuments. He said that Lahore was one of the prettiest city in the world known for its beauty, cuisine, history and friendly general atmosphere.

The Pakistani prime minister said that there were many important holy places relating to Bhuddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism which could be projected with more clarity and sound approach to attract the tourists of different faith.

Aziz said that the Pakistani government was improving the infrastructure to attract more and more tourists from around the world. In this regard the private sector is being encouraged to build hotels and tourist resorts, he said.

He said that Pakistan with vast tourist attraction sites its best kept secret was far more different than the perceptions being created about it abroad.

He stressed the need to project country's image through the promotion of tourism.

Aziz said that Pakistan had a friendly, open, tolerant society.

He assured the travel writers and tour operators that the Pakistani government would provide necessary facilities to the tourists coming to Pakistan.

Source: Xinhua