There is great scope of tourism in Pakistan :Rana Mashhood Ahmad

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Education and Tourism, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan has said that there is great scope of tourism and hospitality in the world including Pakistan. He said that launching of double-decker tourist bus service in Lahore will open new vistas of historical and social tourism of the city. Cholistan jeep rally has become second big unit of the world. Excellent facilities are being provided to the tourists in Soon Sakesar Valley. Imran Khan has announced opening of government rest houses in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa for the people and Punjab government has taken this step in 2010.

He expressed these views while addressing as chief guest a function of competition of cooking at Punjab Tourism office on World Chef Day, today.

MD Punjab Tourism Ahmer Malik and Principal TDCP Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management ITHM Nadeem Butt were also present on the occasion. The Minister gave commendatory certificates to girl students of Samanabad Girls Degree College, Lahore College for Women University and Jinnah Girls College for securing first, second and third positions respectively.

Later, talking to media, the Minister said that institutions like ITHM are playing an important role regarding creation of awareness about tourism and hospitality among children. He said that Punjab government is planning to expand the scope of ITHM to other districts. He said that new centers are being setup for tourists throughout the world with the partnership of tourism and media.

He said that double-decker tourist bus service is being started in Lahore within next few days. He said that Punjab government also intends to run buses in other tourist cities of the province. Replying to the question of media, the Minister said that historical monuments and tombs in the way of orange line are especially cared for.

Replying to another question, he said that the real face of India has been exposed due to its extremist attitude. Answering another question, Rana Mashhood said that steps are being taken for the development of religious places of Sikhs and Hindus and religious tourism in Pakistan. He said that Ghandara University is being setup in Taxila. Similarly, Baba Grunanak University is also being established.