Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh announced yesterday that Pakistan has introduced an online visa facility for citizens of 192 countries as part of efforts to promote tourism and attract foreign investment.
According to sources, he was speaking at the Sustainable Tourism Forum and Expo held at a local hotel, jointly organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce. The federal minister highlighted Pakistan’s recent economic achievements and outlined government plans to further develop the tourism sector.
He said that significant progress has been achieved through collective efforts, and Pakistan’s stock market is now counted among the best-performing markets in the world. He added that industrial investment is continuously increasing and that more steps are needed to promote tourism.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh stressed that sustainable development will be extremely important in the future. He expressed his best wishes for the success of the Sustainable Tourism Forum and assured full government support for the initiative.
He praised the role of the Prime Minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir, stating that they have made a major contribution to national development, and noted that tourism in Pakistan is growing rapidly. Under the new visa policy, citizens of 192 countries are eligible for online visas, while travelers from 120 countries can obtain visas on arrival. These reforms aim to simplify travel procedures and boost international tourism.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said that tourism accounts for 10 percent of the global economy and that many developed countries are focusing heavily on this sector. He stated that Pakistan is among the few countries that experience all four seasons and has been blessed with natural beauty, but some elements are damaging this beauty for personal financial gain.
He added that tourism can create employment opportunities, promote trade, and significantly improve gross national output. He said Pakistan has unique historical and cultural sites, including the ancient civilization of Mohenjo-daro and rich Sufi heritage, which are extremely important for tourism growth.
FPCCI Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Magoon said that Pakistan’s tourism sector is witnessing notable growth, but further measures are required to expand the business. Islamic Chamber of Commerce Secretary General Sheikh Yousuf Hassan Khalawi described tourism promotion as an important source of a strong economy and said that sustainable tourism development will be of exceptional importance in the future.
