Tourism industry of Pakistan can play a significant role in cultivating better people to people ties & linkages between Pakistan & the United States: Ambassador Masood Khan

Washington DC, 30 (SABAH): “Tourism industry of Pakistan can play a significant role in cultivating better people to people ties and linkages between Pakistan and the United States,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States. 

“The success of Pakistan Pavilion during ‘Travel & Adventure Show 2024’ at New York, showcasing of mesmerizing vignettes of  Pakistan’s landscape, culture and history, captivated international community and evoked great interest in Pakistan’s rich cultural and tourism potential. It augers well not only for the tourism industry but also for the image building of the country,” he said.

Ambassador Masood Khan made these remarks during his meeting with Raja Nasir Ali Khan Maqpoon, Minister for Planning & Development Gilgit Baltistan, during meeting at Embassy of Pakistan Washington DC today.

The Ambassador congratulated Minister Planning GB for organizing a successful show that would surely catapult country’s tourism potential to new levels. Raja Nasir Khan thanked the Ambassador for the support provided by the Consulate in New York and Pak Embassy Washington in successfully showcasing tourism potential of the country at an international platform.

Discussing the interest of the US nationals in Pakistan’s tourism, Minister Planning GB said that US tourists were the second highest in numbers visiting Gilgit Baltistan annually for various kinds tourism including eco-tourism, adventure tourism and others.

He also briefed the Ambassador about various steps being taken to improve infrastructure and facilitate foreign visitors. He also apprised the Ambassador about various initiatives being taken for transforming youth potential of Gilgit Baltistan into a productive human capital.

In this context, the Minister said that GB Government was focusing on establishing IT parks, incubation centers, vocational institutes and winter sports for the youth. He informed the Ambassador that equal attention was being paid to girls education and providing them with sports facilities. Out of 52 Ice-Hockey teams that have been raised in the region, 12 were female teams, he said.

Minister Planning GB said that Gilgit Baltistan government, in collaboration with USAID and Rupani Foundation would organize ‘Invest in Pakistan Conference-II’ in May this year to encourage investors especially Pak-American community to invest in various sectors including tourism, hospitality, tech sector, minerals, renewable energy, health, education and clean drinking water. 

Discussing international support to the education sector in Gilgit Baltistan, Ambassador Masood Khan especially highlighted the contributions made by Mrs. Diana MacArthur who had been a driving force behind creation of Center for Educational Excellence, in the village of MurtazaAbad, in the Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Minister Planning Raja Nasir Ali Khan spoke with Mrs. MacArthur on phone and thanked her for invaluable contributions towards promoting education in Gilgit Baltistan. He also proposed establishment of another such center in the region for which he offered his every possible support.

Appreciating generous support by the US government, civil society, philanthropists and Pak-American US nationals, Masood Khan observed that educational cooperation was one of the major planks of strong Pak-US ties.  He said that the Government of Pakistan greatly appreciate US support in providing Pak youth with greater opportunities to study in the United States and honing their skills to become a productive asset for the society.