Pakistan was the ‘best performing destination’ in terms of tourism during the first nine months of 2023, according to the ‘World Tourism Barometer’ published by the World Tourism Organisation of the United Nations, reported Dawn.
Pakistan made a remarkable 92 percent recovery to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, as the country experienced a 115 percent surge in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, signaling a robust comeback post-Covid.
With the recovery reaching 115 percent and projections of international receipts reaching $1.3 billion by the end of the year, Pakistan stands as a beacon in tourism resurgence, showcasing its potential on the global stage, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Aftab Rana said.
He attributed this success to the concerted efforts in tourism promotion. Pakistan actively participated in six major global events to project the tourism potential in the country.
A strategic online outreach, along with the launching of the “Salam Pakistan” tourism brand in August 2023, contributed significantly to attracting a diverse range of visitors from across the globe.
Minister of State for Tourism Wasi Shah congratulated the PTDC team and industry partners for the achievement, expressing optimism for a stronger performance in 2024 despite existing challenges. Mr. Rana spoke highly of the collaborative efforts of PTDC, provincial tourist departments, and private sector operators, emphasising the role of global events in expanding international partnerships.
According to the WTO Tourism Barometer, other leading best performing destinations were Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Turkiye, and Romania among countries from Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. Egypt and Serbia were at the bottom of the destination countries list.
Key findings of the barometer show international tourism recovered 87pc of pre-pandemic levels in January-September 2023.
An estimated 975 million tourists traveled internationally between January and September 2023, an increase of 38 percent over the same months of 2022, though 13 percent fewer than in 2019.
International tourism receipts could reach $1.4 trillion in 2023, about 93pc of the $1.5tr earned by destinations in 2019.
These results reflect the strong recovery of demand in 2023. By regions, the Middle East continued to lead the recovery by regions in relative terms, with arrivals 20pc above pre-pandemic levels in the first nine months of 2023. Europe, the world’s largest destination region, reached 94pc of pre-pandemic levels, supported by robust intra-regional demand.
Africa recovered 92 percent of pre-crisis visitors during these nine months and the Americas 88 percent. In Asia and the Pacific, arrivals climbed to 62 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
By sub-regions, North Africa (+5pc), Central America (+4 percent), and Southern Mediterranean Europe (+1 percent) continued to exceed pre-pandemic levels in January-September 2023.
International arrivals are expected to reach 1.3 billion overall in 2023, up 33 percent over 2022 and almost 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO scenarios published in January.
Against this backdrop, international tourism is well on track to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024 despite economic challenges and uncertainty derived from certain geopolitical tensions and conflicts, WTO says.
In all honesty, 2023 was more like a crazy roller coaster than a democratic process when it comes to Pakistani politics. Here are some of the significant events that happened this year:
Assemblies dissolved
On January 14, 2023, the provincial assembly of Punjab was dissolved while on January 16, 2023, Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was dissolved as former Prime Minister Imran Khan was pushing for early national elections.
May 9
On May 9, 2023, former prime minister and founder chairman of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan was submitting his biometric data for a court appearance when paramilitary forces broke down a window inside the court to get to apprehend him.
The dramatic and sudden arrest of the former cricket star turned leader resulted in violent clashes between supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and law enforcement agencies protests to mark the arrest of the former Prime Minister turned into riots.
Several military installations, including GHQ and the Lahore corps commander’s official residence, were attacked across the country within hours of Imran Khan’s detention.
May 9, termed a “black day” by the Pakistani state, ended up provoking a harsh military crackdown on Khan’s party.
PTI Dismantled
Thousands of PTI members, including many women, were rounded up and arrested after May 9 riots.
More than two dozen members of PTI resigned from the politics following the protests.
Notable figures like Shireen Mazari, Asad Umer, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Fawad Chaudhry, Maleeka Bokhari, Abrar ul Haq, Murad Ras, Ali Haider Zaidi, Imran Islamil, Usman Dar, Farrukh Habib, Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, Andleeb Abbas, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Shaukat Tarin and others either left PTI or quit politics.
Imran Khan Jailed
Police arrested Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore on August 5, 2023, after a court sentenced him to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts, potentially barring the opposition leader from contesting an upcoming election.
On September 26, 2023, Imran Khan was shifted to the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi from Attock prison, a day after the Islamabad High Court ordered authorities to relocate him to the high-security jail.
Qazi Faez Isa
On September 17, 2023, Justice Qazi Faez Isa was sworn in as the 29th chief justice of Pakistan.
A ceremony was held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad during which President Arif Alvi administered the oath of office. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir were also present.
Justice Isa was accompanied by his wife, Sarina Isa, while he was taking oath.
Imran Riaz ‘safely’ returns
On the evening of May 11, 2023, police arrested Imran Riaz Khan, a former anchor with the privately owned broadcaster Express News and host of a YouTube channel with over three million subscribers.
Imran Riaz Khan, often called Imran Riaz, was trying to flee the country over fears of his arrest. At the time, authorities accused him of inciting people to violence through his reporting.
He was said to have been freed a few days later, but there was no trace of him and police denied keeping him in custody.
On September 25, 2023, his lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq took to X (former Tiwtter) and posted a picture of Imran Riaz, after his return, stating that the recovery took a long time due to “countless difficulties, a weak judiciary” and the ineffectiveness of the Constitution. He also shared a photo of him with Khan.
The rift between Zardari and Bilawal
On November 23, 2023, the former president of Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari‘s father, Asif Ali Zardari, during an exclusive interview with Hamid Mir on Geo News’ program “Capital Talk”, said that Bilawal is “inexperienced” and that it would take some time for him to gain more exposure, on Thursday.
“Bilawal is much more talented than I am, but he isn’t experienced,” he said.
On November 24, 2023, in a seeming act of defiance to his father, Bilawal changed his profile picture on X on Friday afternoon, to a photo with his mother Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister and head of the PPP till her assassination in 2017.
PPP denied all the claims of a rift between the father-son duo.
Afghan Refugees Repatriation
On October 3, 2023, Pakistan’s caretaker government announced it would carry out mass deportations — known under domestic law as an Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan — asking all concerned to leave the country before 1 November. Although the plan purported to apply to all foreigners residing in the country illegally, it appears designed to target Afghans, millions of whom have sought refuge in Pakistan over the years.
As of December 29, 2023, the total number of allegedly illegal Afghans who left Pakistan reached 453,480 and the process is still underway.
Nawaz Sharif Returns
On October 21, 2023, Pakistan’s thrice-elected former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan, ending four years of self-imposed exile in London.
Nawaz Sharif was disqualified when the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) announced its decision on July 28, 2017, in the Panama Papers case. After that, Nawaz Sharif and three of his children were referred to an accountability court, which was ordered to file corruption cases against Sharif’s family within six weeks.
In July 2018, the expelled prime minister was imprisoned for 10 years in the Avenfield properties corruption case, an assets-beyond-means trial.
In the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, the PML-N supremo was sentenced to seven years in jail on December 24, 2018. Nawaz Sharif was taken to Adiala jail in this case, and then he was shifted to Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail on the very next day. He was also fined Rs1.5 billion and US$25 million in this case.
The former prime minister was released from jail in March 2019. After that, the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed Nawaz Sharif to go to London for treatment for fast-depleting platelet levels, and then he left for London in November 2019.
Elections Date Announced
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on November 3, 2023, that 8th February 2024 is the poll date for the General Elections for the National Assembly of Pakistan and Provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The date was announced by the President House in a statement following a meeting between the top election officials and President Alvi, hours after the election commission lawyer told the Supreme Court that elections will be held on February 11.
PTI New Chairman
On December 2, 2023, The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) on Saturday elected Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as the new chairman in the intra-party elections held on the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Gohar won the chairman’s position unopposed.
The change was forced on the party after the Election Commission of Pakistan warned the PTI last month that it risked losing its emblem – a cricket bat – unless an internal ballot was held for party officers.
Election symbols are crucial in a country where the adult literacy rate is 58 percent, according to World Bank data.
Baloch Long March
Demanding the release of all “missing persons” and an end to “extrajudicial killing” in Balochistan under the leadership of activist Dr Mahrang Baloch and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the march started in Turbat, Balochistan, on December 6 after the alleged extrajudicial killing of 24-year-old Balach Baloch.
According to BYC, when the march reached the capital, the city administration didn’t allow them to protest in front of the press club. Maharng Baloch said in her live video from the Facebook page of BYC that Islamabad police arrested 300 male protesters, eight women, and 10 children.
Popular Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat, known for her roles in hit movies like ‘Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani’ and ‘Punjab Nahi Jaon Ga’, has taken her talent to the global stage. She’s now part of Marvel Studios’ ‘Miss Marvel’, gaining admiration for her outstanding performance.
Hayat is expanding her career further by establishing her own production house in the UK. Her goal is to showcase Pakistani culture on the international stage.
In a delightful development, Mehwish Hayat is teaming up with famous designer HSY for an upcoming telefilm. Fans are excited about their on-screen chemistry, evident in the recently released trailer, which has everyone waiting with baited breath for the venture to hit our screens.
Aymen Saleem and her husband Kamran Malik, who recently got married, have released wedding photos of the gorgeous ceremonies.
Photos of former national cricket team player Saleem Yusuf’s daughter arr adorning social media on the photo and video sharing platform Instagram.
At the mayon, held on December 27 at the actress’s maternal uncle’s house in Karachi, the actress wore floral jewelry and light makeup, complemented by a yellow gharara. Her groom, chose a matching yellow kurta and white pajama for the occasion.
The former cricketer also wore the same outfit as his son-in-law in Mayun’s ceremony, while his wife and the mother of the bride were seen in orange dresses.
Pictures of the engagement that took place on December 14 were revealed in which the actress wore a red gown by an Indian designer. Later, pictures of her Dholki in Karachi were also revealed.
Jhoom gained acclaim for its story about love, passion and drama. Aryaan falls in love with Maryam, a successful doctor.
Zara Noor Abbas and Haroon Kadwani, the actors, did a great job showing the loneliness and pain in their characters’ lives. People really liked their performances, and that’s one reason why the show became so popular.
2.Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi in Tere Bin
Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi, who play Murtasim and Meerub in Tere Bin, are like the kings and queens of great on-screen chemistry. When they act together, it’s like magic. People all around the world are crazy about their sweet love story and the special spark they share. It’s like they were made for each other in the world of TV shows.
3.Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen in Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri
Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen, as Saim and Zubia in Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri, showcase relatable goals for young couples. Though the plot of Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri isn’t unique, the story feels fresh, portraying real-life struggles and mistakes. Audiences love the on-screen pair’s moments as they navigate mixed feelings and discover what they want in life and each other.
4.Hamza Sohail and Sehar Khan In Fairy Tale
Hamza Sohail and Sehar Khan, the breakout couple from Fairy Tale, are all the buzz of 2023. Hamza’s rapid rise to fame in Pakistan is remarkable. The Umeed and Farjaat dynamic, an enemies-to-lovers tale, is captivating audiences. In the story, 20-year-old Umeed, a chai-loving dreamer, clashes with grumpy CEO Farjaat on a game show in Islamabad. Their evolving chemistry and unique perspectives have made them the most talked-about on-screen couple this year.
5.Haji Mushtaq and Sabeena Farooq in Kabli Pulao
Haji Mushtaq and Sabeena Farooq, the standout pair from Kabli Pulao, are the talk of 2023. Kabli Pulao takes a daring turn with the unique love story of Afghan refugee Barbeena (Sabeena Farooq) and middle-aged Pakistani bachelor Haji Mushtaq. The actors skillfully portray the unusual pairing, infusing freshness into the narrative. Sabeena Farooq’s exceptional performance, embracing the Pashto accent, and on-screen chemistry with director Kashif Nisar make for a captivating and impactful drama.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has submitted a review petition on Saturday to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) challenging the decision of its single-judge bench regarding the iconic electoral symbol of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ‘bat’.
The high court issued its verdict on December 26 regarding PTI’s petition that contested the ECP’s decision, which had deemed the party’s internal polls “unlawful” and stripped it of using the ‘bat’ symbol.
While announcing the reserved verdict, the PHC suspended the ECP’s order and restored the party’s ‘bat’ symbol till a final decision on the petition. The court also stated that a double bench will hear the matter after winter vacations.
The ECP, in its plea, has urged the court to review the intra-party elections of the PTI and its determinations concerning the election symbol. The Commission, in its plea, urged the court to schedule the petition for consideration by a division bench, emphasizing broader public interest. The commission asserted its responsibility to conduct elections with honesty, justice, and fairness in accordance with the law. The petition read that Article 218(3) allows the electoral body to organise and conduct the elections, adding that the ECP is also responsible for making all necessary arrangements ahead of the polls.
“This court […] observed that election is a process which starts with the issuance of the election programme and consists of the various links and stages in that behalf as, filing of nomination papers, their scrutiny, the hearing of objections and the holding of actual polls. If any of these links is challenged it really (is) tantamount to challenging the said process of election,” it said.
Here are some of the songs and artists Pakistanis enjoyed in 2023:
1.Kaifi Khalil
The 27-year-old Kana Yaari singer was right at the top of the charts with his smash romantic melody ‘Mujhay Pyaar Hua’.
Even though the track was released in 2022 and was the theme song for ARY Digital drama serial, Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha; it remained as one of the most listened tracks in 2023 and relieved recognition across and beyond Pakistan.
He also released a new track in 2023 called Mansoob which has more than 4,700,000 listens on Spotify.
2.Abdul Hannan
In collaboration with Shahmeer Raza Khan, Abdul Hannan released an EP called Diya. Other singles included Raabta and Kehdena featuring Annural Khalid and ChillBazaar.
However, his songs from the former year remained Pakistan’s favourite as Iraaday and Bikhra (both in collaboration with Rovalio) were among Spotify’s top tracks in Pakistan.
3.Natasha Noorani
The ever-talented Natasha Noorani released her debut LP, Ronaq, in 2023 – a groovy, electro vibe.
4.Singers beyond borders
Indo-Canadian, AP Dhillon’s With You charted among the most listened songs in Pakistan. This was not only because of its lyrics and vibe, but also because of its cute music video featuring the singer Banita Sandhu.
Likewise, Shubh, Indian rapper-singer based in Canada, also took over the charts with his song, One Love. His album called Still Rollin featuring the famous song, Cheques, was also released.
5.Hasan Raheem
Our favourite, Hasan Raheem released his EP in September. Its track list includes the song, Wishes featuring Umair and Talwiinder – which everyone is vibing to these days!
Most listened Pakistani songs:
Wishes Hasan Raheem, Umair, Talha Anjum
‘Kahani Suno 2.0’ by Kaifi Khalil
‘Bikhra’ by Abdul Hannan, Rovalio
4.‘Sukoon’ by Hassan & Roshaan, Shae Gill
Left Right by Ali Sethi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Maanu, Shae Gill
An accountability court in Islamabad granted a six-day physical remand for former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday in connection with a case involving misappropriation in construction projects in Jhelum.
The court noted that the case investigation should be concluded, ensuring Fawad’s access to his legal counsel. The ex-minister is scheduled to appear in court on January 5, 2024.
Fawad was taken into custody earlier this month by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with the corruption case. NAB Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt authorized the issuance of an arrest warrant for the politician. Subsequently, the individual was suspended from Adiala jail, where they were already held in connection with a separate fraud case.
The former minister’s lawyer and brother, Faisal Chaudhry, and NAB Prosecutor Sohail Arif were also present in the courtroom.
A girls’ school in district Bannu’s Meryan Tehsil was set on fire on Friday night in what is being perceived as a terrorist attack amid an increase in militancy in the tribal region.
The terrorists targeted the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Kotka Mumbati Barakzai, inflicting significant damage on the building. The school’s science lab was turned to ashes.
The miscreants stole solar panels and other items and vandalised the school’s boundary wall as well. They also wrote threatening messages near the main gate, warning of additional attacks if the school tried to resume classes.
Police officials collected evidence from the site, kicking off an investigation into the terror act, District Police Officer Iftikhar Khan told Geo News.
Schools in the district are currently closed due to the winter break. Meanwhile, the incident marks the first instance of a school being set on fire in Bannu following the upswing in militant attacks which came after the end of the ceasefire with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan last year.
However, this is not the first time this year that a girls’ school has been targeted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In May 2023, two girls’ schools were blown up by terrorists in the North Waziristan district.
The attack came after Islamabad initiated a new offensive against terrorists in response to a surge in attacks, including a destructive mosque bombing that claimed over 100 lives in February this year.
Historically, the TTP extremists have prohibited female education in areas that came under their control in the province.
But the country has, regardless, seen a return of terrorism in the form of targeted attacks by terrorists, particularly since late 2022. This year, however, the terror attacks witnessed a surge in militancy, particularly suicide attacks that reached the highest level since 2014.
In a recent address at the National Farmers Convention in Islamabad, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir expressed concern over the rampant spread of fabricated claims against the state of Pakistan on social media.
“Social media is being used to create an environment of chaos, despair, and panic. Through fake news, an impression is being created that the state is losing its [writ],” the army chief said in an address to the National Farmers Convention in Islamabad on Friday.
Pakistan, like many other nations, is grappling with the challenge of fake news on social media, where unfounded reports fueled by emotional appeals are spreading rapidly and contributing to societal divisions. A detailed report earlier this year by EU DisinfoLab revealed that Indian media outlets were involved in a smear campaign against Pakistan, quoting non-existent organizations, journalists, and bloggers.
COAS Munir highlighted that such smear campaigns are not limited to external actors, as investigations have revealed the involvement of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in using state resources to spread false propaganda against state institutions.
Addressing the farmers, COAS Munir addressed the rumors and negative impressions being spread about Pakistan. He emphasized the historical significance of Pakistan, stating that it is founded on the principles of the Kalima, with divine backing for the country.
COAS Munir reminded the audience of Pakistan’s abundant resources, including glaciers, rivers, mountains, and fertile land producing world-class rice, fruits, and valuable minerals like granite, gold, and copper.
He lamented that Pakistan, once one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia in the 1960s, witnessed a decline due to forgetting the golden principles of faith, unity, and discipline advocated by the Quaid-i-Azam.
Moving forward, COAS Munir discussed the Green Pakistan Initiative, highlighting its focus on boosting agriculture. He assured that a major chunk of the initiative’s income will go to the provinces, while the rest will be kept for farmers and agricultural research, he said, noting that the “role of the army in this is only to serve the people and farmers”.
COAS Munir pledged to ensure easy agricultural credit, a cold storage chain, climate change-resistant seeds, and genetically engineered livestock for farmers.
