Tag: Tourism

  • Canadian vlogger Rosie Gabrielle gets married to Pakistani traveller Adeel Amer

    Canadian vlogger Rosie Gabrielle, who converted to Islam in January last year has tied the knot with Pakistani travel vlogger Adeel Amer.

    Gabrielle announced the news on social media with a picture of the two.

    “I’m married,” wrote Gabrielle in the caption. “Never would I [have] thought that I would come to Pakistan and fall in love. Not only with a country and it’s people, but one very special individual in particular.”

    ‘My whole life I searched for him. My soul mate, my companion, my best friend,” she added.

    The Canadian vlogger further said “Before I came to Pakistan, I surrendered my need to find someone. I made a pact with God, that if I had to spend the rest of my life living for only Him, and loving myself, without needing someone to “complete me”, so be it. I finally knew deep down that I’m ENOUGH. And I didn’t need anyone to make me whole.”

    “It’s a funny thing surrender; the moment you do, you are gifted 10 times over. Divine says, give up your desire for your needs, for what I have in store for you, is much Greater. And it was true!”

    “Not only did I find my soul partner, I also found my best friend. The one who I will cherish and continue to love more deeply every day. Someone whom I can share every detail of my life with without guilt or judgment, who challenges me, who continuously pushes me to be a better person. The one who loves me unconditionally and has patience and compassionate grace for my journey. The man who lights up my life and inspires me every single day with his love and actions. Someone who compliments me perfectly.”

    “Our love was written in the stars. There was a subtle familiarity and connection I had never felt and more, it’s as if we had lived a thousand lifetimes before. In the most unsuspected place I found, a love so rare, so profound. God gifted me you and you to me, to reflect back His Divinity.”

    “To truly find our life’s sacred calling, our souls emerge hearts exalting My bestest friend, companion, motivator, inspiration, my heart my soul, my LOVE My husband Adeel Amer,” she concluded.

    Earlier, the Canadian traveller had opened up on her journey towards Islam and shared how Pakistan had played its part.

  • Pakistani passport ranks 4th worst for international travel in 2021

    Pakistani passport ranks 4th worst for international travel in 2021

    The Henley Passport Index has released its annual report ranking the world’s strongest and weakest passports despite there being limited travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Henley Passport Index is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and covers 199 passports and 227 travel spots. Asian residents continue to have the world’s most powerful travel documents. 

    As the report doesn’t take temporary restrictions into account, Japan tops the list offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival service to tourists from 191 destinations around the world.

    The best passports to hold in 2021 are of Japan with 191 destinations, Singapore with 190, South Korea and Germany with 189, Italy, Finland, Spain and Luxembourg with 18, and Denmark along with Austria with 187 destinations.

    Followed by Denmark are Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands and Ireland with 186 destinations.

    Many countries around the world have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to less than 40 countries. 

    Passports with the lowest ranking include North Korea with 39 destinations on the 103rd rank, Libya and Nepal with 38 destinations, 105 Palestinian territories with 37, and Somalia along with Yemen on the 106th rank with 33 destinations to offer visa-free arrival.

    Pakistan ranks 107th on the list with 32 destinations for the second time in a row, followed by Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, and Tajikistan.

    UAE is on the 16th position rising from 62nd position from 2006 back when the index began. UAE provides visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 173 destinations.

  • PM Khan shares breathtaking pictures of Skardu with photo credits

    PM Khan shares breathtaking pictures of Skardu with photo credits

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday posted some beautiful pictures of  Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan on his Twitter account but this time the photographer has been credited for his work.

    “I have been sent more pictures,” he wrote on Twitter. “This time from around Skardu after my last tweet with pictures from GB.”

    The photographer Abrar Khawja also took to social media to express his joy over his work being shown to the world.

    “My passion for photography has delivered results today,” wrote Abrar, sharing the premier’s tweet. “My beautiful Pakistan, captured through my lens, is being shown to the whole world by my own prime minister.”

    Earlier, the PM’s post showing Gilgit Baltistan’s beauty stirred controversy when the photographer alleged that his watermark had been removed from the pictures. 

    A day later, however, Asmar tweeted that the PM Office had apologized for the mistake.

  • Sindh to develop 10 tourist spots

    Sindh to develop 10 tourist spots

    The Sindh Government has decided to develop 10 potential tourist sites in the province through a public-private partnership.

    According to reports, the provincial government will conduct feasibility at 10 such sites across the province to develop them into tourist spots. These areas include Gorakh Hill Station in Dadu district, Ranikot Fort in Jamshoro district, Keenjhar Lake in Thatta, Nagarparkar in Tharparkar, Achhrro Thar in Sanghar, Mohenjo Daro in Larkana, Sehwan, Bhit Shah, Drigh and Langh Lakes in Kambar-Shahdadkot, Lab-e-Mehran / Sadhbelo in Sukkur and coastal belt of the province.

    The decision was announced after a meeting of the provincial Tourism and Culture Department, which was chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary (CS) Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah.

    Expressing that the province had great tourism potential, the Chief Secretary said: “Sindh government wants to develop facilities for tourists so that tourism can flourish not only at the already existing sites but at several other sites which have so far been neglected.”

    Such sites would be surveyed with the help of private sector, he added.

    Shah also instructed the Works and Services Department to repair the roads going towards Ranikot and Nagarparkar to make the route for tourists easier.

    Sindh Culture and Tourism Secretary Akbar Laghari in his briefing shared that the feasibility study of Lab-e-Mehran and Gorakh Hills had already been done. He added that they also plan to build a theme park at Mohenjo Daro and aim to construct low-cost hotels in the area.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday inaugurated two national parks in Gilgit-Baltistan to protect endangered wildlife and promote eco-tourism in the area.

  • IN PICTURES: Kaghan Valley experiences its first snowfall

    IN PICTURES: Kaghan Valley experiences its first snowfall

    The mountains of Kaghan Valley are covered in snow after the picturesque valley received the first snowfall of the season. Pictures from the area are being widely circulated on social media.

    As per reports, Naran town received more than 2.5 feet of snowfall. 

    Picture Credit: Gulf News
    Picture Credit: Gulf News
    Picture Credit: Gulf News

    Most hotels in Naran, Kaghan, and Shogran are still open for tourists this year because the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is trying to promote winter tourism.

    Picture Credit: Gulf News
    Picture Credit: Gulf News
  • Historical British-era tunnel restored and reopened in Ayubia

    Historical British-era tunnel restored and reopened in Ayubia

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, on Thursday, reopened a 129-year old historical ‘Motto Tunnel’ at Ayubia National Park.

    Read more – Sindh Govt comes under fire for ‘painting ancient archaeological sites white’

    The tunnel has been reopened for tourists after almost 20 years. Restoration work on it has been done by the Ministry of Climate Change in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife.

    According to a press release, Aslam while inaugurating the tunnel said that unsustainable and exploitative tourism practices in various parts of the country, particularly in biodiversity-rich and environmentally-sensitive areas, over last several years have badly harmed local fragile ecosystems that house wildlife species and their habitats.

    The special assistant said: “Given the realisation, the incumbent government is taking all-out measures to usher in sustainable models of eco-tourism in consultative with local partners and communities as a part of Prime Minister’s vision for Clean and Green Pakistan.”

    Sharing details about the tunnel, Aslam said that the tunnel was built in 1891 between Ghora Dhaka (presently Ayubia) to Khaira Gali (Murree) beneath the road and residential area in Ayubia Town. The tunnel had remained in terrible condition due to lack of maintenance over the last several decades.

    He said that this tunnel is 12 kilometres long and has a flat track. This track was 4 kilometres long before 12 more kilometres was added to it – it is now 16 kilometres in total.

    “Besides, reopening and renovation of the different segments of the tunnel, the tunnel site has also been provided with various facilities for tourists including paved track to the tunnel, information centre, guiding facilities, sitting and resting areas and coffee shop,” highlighted Aslam.

    The PM’s aide hoped that the glorious cultural icon would add value to the natural beauty of the national park and provide added attraction to tourists.

    He said: “We are taking practical steps to promote tourism. The restoration of this tunnel is also a link to the same series.”

  • Pakistan’s soft image can only be portrayed through tourism: PM Imran Khan

    Presiding over a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on tourism in Islamabad, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that Pakistan is blessed with different climatic zones and numerous untapped tourist points. He said that the government is focused on eco-tourism to ensure environmental conservation while managing and looking after tourist spots.

    According to details, PM Khan said that the government would provide all possible facilities for the development as well as the promotion of the tourism sector in the country. This initiative would not only generate revenue but also provide employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

    Previously in his first televised address to the nation, soon after taking oath, PM Imran had said: “Pakistan has huge tourism potential. We will promote tourism to strengthen the economy.”

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari briefed the committee about the progress of the development of the tourism sector. He also informed that substantial work has been undertaken for the development of religious tourism.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the World Tourism Forum 2021 will be held in Pakistan. According to Zulfi Bukhari, the forum will be a five-day event with over 1,000 foreign visitors expected to attend.

    “The World Tourism Forum will have three days for conference and two days for tourism”, the SAPM had said.

    Meanwhile, American business magazine Forbes has also listed Pakistan as one of the ten must-visit destinations for those who’re looking for something offbeat.

  • British journalist launches film on Pakistan’s people, culture and cricket

    British journalist launches film on Pakistan’s people, culture and cricket

    Peter Oborne, a senior British journalist, launched a video titled Peter Oborne: The People of Pakistan  at Pakistan High Commission. 

    According to a statement by the Pakistan High Commission London, the film shows a fascinating account of the people, culture, scenic beauty and cricket of Pakistan.

    Oborne came up with the idea of the film during his trip to Pakistan in 2019, along with a 25-member group including British journalists, authors, parliamentarians, business people and amateur cricketers.

    The film was recorded and produced by a British filmmaker Ahmed Peerbux who was part of the visiting group. 

    Speaking on the occasion, Oborne admired the cricketing talent, the hospitality of Pakistani people, the natural beauty and the tourism potential of the country.

    Oborne also thanked High Commissioner, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria for organising the launch at the High Commission.

  • Kaghan to be developed into an all-time tourist destination

    The industries department has announced that Kaghan Valley will be developed into an all-weather tourist destination under the Economic Revitalisation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Project.

    As per reports, the chief minister’s special adviser on industry Kareem Khan handed over snow-blowing and other heavy machinery to Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) deputy director Sajjad Jan for the purpose.

    Kareem told reporters that the KDA would find places in Kaghan Valley, where landslides are a common occurrence and make them accessible for tourists. He said the government wanted to boost tourism in these areas so it provided modern machinery to the Kaghan and Galiyat Development Authorities for garbage dumping to preserve the environment.

    The chief minister’s aide said his department had allocated the financial support of Rs64 million to small and medium entities to promote tourism in the province.

    “The government in collaboration with the World Bank has launched the Economic Revitalisation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Project in 2012 to support small and medium enterprises through the matching grant along with the promotion of integrated tourism through the clean and green initiative,” he said.

    KDA deputy director Sajjad Jan said the industries department had given the authority heavy machinery, so it can clear landslides from the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road to control and restore traffic efficiently.

  • KP govt to transform small dams into picnic points

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to transform small dams into picnic points to boost tourism in the country. The government has begun to transform five dams into picnic points for the public. 

    As per details, Kundar Dam in Swabi, Jalozai Dam Nowshera, Thand Dam Kohat, Chattri Dam Haripur and Jhangra Dam Abbottabad are being completed as picnic spots.

    Services like parking, restaurants, open cooking, solar system, spot fishing and others will be available for the visitors on these sites.

    Earlier on August 19, Prime Minister Imran Khan had chaired a meeting on reviving the tourism sector in the country, where it was decided to form a coordination committee under the supervision of his Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development Zulfiqar Bukhari.

    The committee would meet after every week and would give a briefing to PM Khan over the progress and development of the tourism sector in the country.