Pakistan heaven for tourists: High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri
Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said this week that Pakistan is a heaven for the tourists.
Highlighting Pakistan’s beauty on X, he shared pictures of the beautiful sites.
Speaking to Covert, the envoy said Pakistan offered enormous opportunities to the tourists with safe and secure environment.
High Commissioner Chaudhri said Pakistan had opened doors for visitors from all across the world by easing visa procedures.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, announced the launch of a new visa policy aimed at simplifying travel to Pakistan.
The policy, introduces significant changes to the visa application process, abolishing visa fees for citizens of 126 countries. This will allow visa-free entry to countries including China, Japan, and Gulf countries.
Tarar emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating international travel to Pakistan. He highlighted the country’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage, noting that the new policy is designed to attract tourists from around the world. “Our country is blessed with every natural blessing,” Minister Tarar stated, underscoring Pakistan’s potential as a global tourist destination.
Visas will be issued immediately upon the completion of the application form, significantly reducing previous bureaucratic delays.
High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan was rapidly transforming into a tourism hotspot. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently ranked Pakistan as the top-performing tourism destination for the first three quarters of 2023, with international visitor numbers surging by 115% compared to the previous year. This influx of tourists contributed approximately $1.3 billion in foreign exchange revenue, pushing Pakistan’s tourism activity to 92% of its pre-pandemic levels.
He said the new visa policy is expected to significantly enhance Pakistan’s appeal as a travel destination, particularly for tourists seeking unique cultural experiences and breathtaking landscapes.
