PTDC to be revamped on modern lines: Zulfikar Bukhari

ISLAMABAD, March 26 (APP):In an attempt to bring positive changes in tourism industry through sustained reforms, the government has decided to revamp Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) to make it more effective and result-oriented organization.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari said this during a press conference arranged by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here on Tuesday to brief the media about upcoming ‘Pakistan Tourism Summit’ (PTS) going to be held in the first week of April .
Zulfikar Bukhari, who also holds the portfolio of National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) Chairman, said the government had picked up a professional Managing Director for the PTDC.
The government had already initiated the process of restructuring the corporation, he added.
He said the NTCB had identified a large number of irregular recruitment in the PTDC and forwarded it to the federal cabinet to decide their fate, adding that the cabinet was evaluating the criteria on which these appointments were made.
Outlining the government’s tourism policy, the chairman said the board had evolved a two-pronged strategy to bolster tourism activities across the country.
The prime focus of the board was to strengthen domestic tourism as a part of its short term policy and would be making it a base to attract foreign tourists, investors and businessmen, he added.
The long term policy involved the construction of beeches, resorts, five star hotels and coastal lines, the chairman explained.
Highlighting the role of private sector in flourishing the tourism, he said the government was committed to create conducive environment for businessmen and had introduced several investor-friendly policies during first seven months of its tenure.
“We can not materialize our tourism-centric goals without the help of private sector,” he remarked.
He urged the private companies to come forward with the innovative ideas and help the government in ensuring the country’s socio-economic development.
Zulfikar Bukhari said the NTCB was involving the private sector in its tourism task forces to support national cause by ensuring the participation of different stakeholders.
He said the government had introduced new reforms in the Visa regime and recently decided to abolish the condition of No Objection Certificate for the foreign tourists intending to visit Pakistan.
“We should put aside our political differences and work jointly to contribute to make this country prosperous,” he said.
ICCI President , Ahmed Hassan Moughal expressed his confidence in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led government and said that the chamber was ready to assist and support the government in its plan of national development.
He said the government should focus on services sector of the country which was imperative for a sustainable and robust economy. He also urged the government to engage local businessman to boost the tourism across the country.
Ahmed said the government had managed to revive the confidence of the foreign investors and now they were excepting business-friendly initiatives from the former’s side.