Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has pledged to use all available resources to promote tourism across the province, highlighting Punjab’s natural beauty, historical heritage and cultural attractions as major opportunities for tourism and economic development.
In her message on World Tourism Day, Maryam Nawaz said Punjab has tremendous tourism potential and stressed the importance of presenting the province’s historical, cultural and natural heritage to visitors from Pakistan and abroad. She said tourism can encourage reflection, cultural understanding and human development while also contributing to employment and local economic activity.
The chief minister welcomed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s recognition of Lahore as the Tourism and Cultural Capital this year. She said Punjab’s scenic destinations could attract visitors from around the world, while sustainable initiatives were being taken to promote religious tourism and improve facilities at important tourist locations.
According to Maryam Nawaz, ancient forts, religious sites and picturesque valleys provide significant opportunities for tourism development. She also highlighted the planned Murree Glass Train as a new attraction and mentioned infrastructure development in areas including Murree Mall Road and Kotli Sattian, which is emerging as a new tourist destination.
She said the Punjab government was working to make tourist destinations more attractive through modern facilities, development and rehabilitation. The government also aims to create economic opportunities for young people and local communities by expanding tourism-related activities.
In a separate development, Maryam Nawaz noted an increase in patient attendance at major public hospitals across Punjab. She said attendance at major tertiary care hospitals increased by 16 percent, while OPD attendance rose by 21 percent, IPD admissions by 11 percent and emergency cases by 9 percent.
The chief minister said more than 45.7 million patients had visited major hospitals, with increases also reported in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Surgery, paediatrics, dermatology and ENT cases. She further said more than 2.1 million parcels of cancer and cardiac medicines had been delivered to patients.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz also praised the Pakistan Navy following the successful first live weapon firing by submarine PNS/M Hangor. She commended the submarine’s reported ability to engage a long-range target using an anti-ship cruise missile and appreciated the precision demonstrated during the exercise.
