Tourism can be a multi-billion dollar industry in Pakistan provided there is awareness and policy on the part of stakeholders to promote the culture of tourism. A country’s image and reputation are judged based on its capacity to provide basic facilities to tourists, particularly foreigners.
             It is needless to mention that tourists are being tortured, raped, and kidnaped by the unhygienic people of Pakistan and they don't want to visit Pakistan because they do not feel safe visiting all areas of Pakistan without any safeguard. We can see today many tourists have been tortured and kidnaped by Gangs. Some months, a vlogger came from Australia to explore all of Pakistan positively but unfortunately in Karachi See View he was tortured by a horse rider who wanted to take out a lot of money from tourists. Likewise, because of rider behavior, we see our country's negative pictures around the world. This is really insulting to our country.
             Pakistan is blessed with beautiful tourists as well as historical and religious sites where tourists from abroad visit in large numbers. The north of Pakistan is known for its peaks, glaciers, lakes, and forests where not only homegrown tourism can flourish but millions of tourists from abroad can also be attracted. Likewise, the historical sites of Texila and Mohenjo Daro can be a big draw for foreign tourists. The deserts of Tharparkar in Sindh and Cholistan in Punjab, as well as the coast of Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, also have the potential to attract local and foreign tourists in large numbers.

If the government and other stakeholders are interested in promoting the tourist industry and homegrown tourism, they must make sure that adequate facilities are provided. Policy decisions to promote the culture of tourism must take into account three major requirements.
It is a new case that is not viral around the world but it would be the biggest negative impact on the country. An American tourist came here for exploring our country and she wanted to show Pakistan is a safe country and every people can visit here without any fear. Her name is Arbela she is a feminist working for women’s empowerment. She has visited 60 countries and explored them on a positive path. Sadly, she has raped by a gang that belongs to the province of Sindh. Now, she is appealing to the authorities to stand with her and arrest the Gang of the rapist.
             Pakistan is a beautiful country but people are ugly. We are showing our negative image around the world to make them aware we are not good humans and don't visit our country. America and China are increasing their tourist because they know that we can get more than billions of money from tourists. Many European countries are earning 1 trillion dollars from tourists. We also have to increase tourism culture in our country for the economic benefits and awareness for other countries that we also have safety for others in our country.

Thus, if the government projects that Pakistan will earn Re1 trillion from tourism by 2025, in that case, hectic efforts should be made both at the federal and provincial levels to create a culture of tourism by taking measures that have been highlighted above. When there a was civil war going on in Sri Lanka from 1983 to 2009 and foreign tourism plummeted, the government encouraged local tourism which tried to bridge the gap in income from foreign tourism. Pakistan needs to promote homegrown tourism and take practical steps to provide safety, security, better hygienic, infrastructure, and accommodation facilities so that both local and foreign tourists can be pulled in.


By: Tanveer Murad

Malir Karachi