Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that being rich with immense scenic beauty, particularly the Northern Areas, Pakistan could turn these resources into a great opportunity.

Shehbaz Sharif said this while addressing the launching ceremony of the “Salam Pakistan” brand and e-portal that would help promote tourist attractions across the world and guide tourists.

The prime minister said Pakistan was a great place for promoting tourism and cultural heritage. He instructed his Advisor on Tourism Aoun Chaudhry to do maximum efforts to promote tourism, though the government was about to complete its term very soon.

He also instructed the advisors as well as the government officers not to interact merely with their counterparts but also those from other countries which had excelled in tourism, cultural heritage and other fields. “Allah Almighty blessed our country with great natural resources of scenic beauty all over Northern Areas, which can be converted into a great opportunity,” he remarked.

Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran Sayyed Ezzatullah Zarghami and Ambassador of Iran Reza Amiri Moghaddam and diplomats from different countries also attended the ceremony.

The portal contains information about the top 20 tourist destinations of Pakistan including K2, Gwadar, Ziarat Valley, Uch Sharif, Deosai National Park, Kalash Valley, Takht Bhai, Hingol National Park, Shandur Pass, Kambhar Lake, Fairy Meadows, Ratti Gali, Lahore Fort, Makli Graveyard, Derawar For, Rohtas Fort, Kumrat Valley, Hunza Valley and Mohenjo-Daro.

It guides the tourists about the beaches and waterfalls, nature and landscape, festivals, spiritual tourism and eco-tourism.

Meeting with Kaira

Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday.

In the meeting, Qamar Zaman Kaira gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister regarding his portfolio.

Qamar Zaman Kaira informed the Prime Minister about the activities and seminars organized on the occasion of Kashmir Exploitation Day on August 5, especially the events to create awareness in Pakistan's embassies around the world.