PAKISTAN STRENGTHENS TOURISM WITH INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES, DIRECT FLIGHTS

By Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri

Pakistan’s External Publicity Wing director, Muhammad Farrukh Rafiq said the country is committed to positioning itself as a safe and attractive destination, particularly for tourists from Western and Arab nations.

“Our priority is to launch an impactful digital campaign to highlight Pakistan’s tourism potential and assure travelers of the country’s safety.

“In addition to promotional efforts, we are investing in infrastructure upgrades, including road networks and security facilities, to enhance the overall experience for visitors,” he told Bernama recently during the ASEAN-Pakistan Media/Journalist Exchange Programme here.

As part of efforts to improve travel accessibility, Muhammad Farrukh said the Pakistani government is working to streamline flight routes.

“Currently, many tourists face multiple flight transfers before reaching Pakistan. To address this, Pakistan is in discussions with Dubai to introduce direct flights to key tourist destinations such as Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan.

“This initiative will allow travelers to fly directly from Dubai to Skardu without the need for a stopover in Islamabad, making the journey more seamless and convenient,” he said.

He added that these strategic efforts reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its tourism sector and positioning itself as a premier global travel destination.

The ASEAN-Pakistan Media Exchange Programme, held from Feb 17 to 22, was organised by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with support from the ASEAN Secretariat.

The initiative brought together 23 journalists from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to foster media collaboration and strengthen regional ties.

-- BERNAMA