Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to evolve a strategy for constructing high-standard hotels, resorts, recreational spots, and other facilities for tourists in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

PM Shehbaz Sharif was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Friday regarding the promotion of tourism in Pakistan. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for developing high-quality infrastructure, easy travel and connectivity, and modern recreational facilities to attract both domestic and international tourists to the scenic regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

He directed the formulation of an early and comprehensive plan to promote tourism in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. He instructed that practical and swiftly implementable projects should be designed to boost tourism. He also emphasized that climate change considerations must be kept in mind while planning new constructions and infrastructure development at tourist sites across the country.

Highlighting country's immense potential for tourism, PM Shehbaz Sharif said snow-covered mountains, forests, rivers, deserts, and coastal areas give Pakistan a unique and significant place in the world due to its diverse natural resources. He further said Pakistan is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister sought a briefing on activating the National Tourism Coordination Board.

The meeting was apprised that a strategy is being formulated to fully leverage the potential of religious and medical tourism. It was also shared that a National Tourism Expo and Investment Conference will soon be convened in Islamabad. Recently, the Mango Festival 2025 was organized in Multan in collaboration with Nawaz Sharif Agricultural University.