Balochistan eyes tourism revival through strategic partnership
The meeting focused on leveraging Balochistan's rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes to attract both domestic and international travelers. Chief Secretary Khan emphasized the province's untapped tourism potential, highlighting its ancient historical landmarks, expansive coastline, and unspoiled beaches.
"Balochistan's cultural and natural assets deserve global attention," said Khan. "We are initiating revolutionary reforms to strengthen our tourism infrastructure and bring new destinations to life."
Hasan Azhar Hayat outlined Green Tourism Pakistan's national vision, which centers on enhancing tourism accessibility, upgrading infrastructure, and implementing eco-friendly practices. He noted that sustainable tourism initiatives have already begun to stimulate local economies and serve as models for responsible development.
Both sides agreed that improved security, modern infrastructure, and services that meet international standards are essential for the long-term success of the tourism sector. Khan stressed the need for a cohesive national tourism strategy to position Pakistan as a globally competitive destination.
"Tourism is a powerful engine for economic growth and foreign exchange earnings," he stated. "With deliberate planning, Balochistan can take its rightful place on the global tourism map."
A key highlight of the discussion was the plan to upgrade Hinglaj Mata Mandir into an international religious tourism site. The Hindu temple, already a major pilgrimage destination attracting hundreds of thousands annually, is set to benefit from enhanced facilities and preservation efforts — reflecting the province's commitment to cultural inclusion and heritage conservation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Venky's India reports 79% slump in quarterly profit as poultry business shrinks
Venky's India posted a nearly 79% drop in first-quarter profit on Friday, as its poultry business margins shrank, with over-supply and curtailed demand leading to lower pricing. The poultry firm reported a net profit of 158.3 million rupees ($1.81 million) in the quarter ended June 30, compared to last year's 751.8 million rupees. Venky's poultry and poultry products business has been impacted for months by lower market pricing of broiler birds. Panic selling drove down prices during an April heatwave, over concerns about the birds' mortality rate in hotter conditions, Venky's said in a post-earnings call in May. Firms such as Venky's are also impacted seasonally, usually during the second and third quarters, when multiple Hindu festivals limit meat and egg consumption, which can lead to a months-long overhang, the company has said. Revenue in the poultry and polutry products segment fell 7.4%, resulting in a loss of 56.6 million rupees from the category, compared to a year-ago profit of 827.4 million rupees. Revenue in Venky's second largest oilseed segment grew 33.6%, aided by firmer pricing of soya and decent demand, the company said. Venky's processes soya to make edible oil, which it sells in bulk to traders, and de-oiled cake, which it sells as poultry feed to manufacturers. Its overall revenue rose 7.1%, helped by the growth in the oilseeds segment. However, expenses rose more than 19%. The company is also foraying into ready-mix spice powders, production for which began in the first quarter.
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Business Recorder
24 SOEs to be privatised in 3 phases: minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan said that the federal government has decided to privatise 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in three phases in five years. In written reply to a question to the National Assembly, the minister presented the detailed privatisation roadmap before the House on Thursday. He said that the plan outlines that 10 entities will be privatised in the first year, followed by 13 more over the next one to three years. He said that the privatisation of one remaining entity is expected to take between three to five years. He said that the first phase will include the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Roosevelt Hotel, the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), PIA-IL (Roosevelt Hotel, New York), First Women Bank Limited (FWBL), House Building Finance Corporation, Pakistan Engineering Company (PECO), Sindh Engineering Limited (SEL), Islamabad Electric Supply Company Limited (IESCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company Limited (FESCO). Govt aims to privatise up to 50 SOEs in next 3-4 years: minister Minister Khan further revealed that in the second phase, 13entities will be privatise including the Utility Stores Corporation and four generation companies (GENCOs), Gujranwala Electric Power Company Limited (GEPCO), Pakistan Re-Insurance Co Ltd (PRCL), State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC), Jamshoro Power Company Ltd, Central Power Generation Co ltd (CPGCL), Northern Power Generation Co Ltd (NPGCL). Lakhra Power Generation Co ltd (LPGCL), Lahore Electric Supply Company Limited (LESCO), Multan Electric Power Compnay Limited (MEPCO), Hazara Electric Supply Company Limited (HAZECO), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company Limited (HESCO), Peshawar Electric Supply Company Limited (PECSO and Sukkur Electric Power Company Limited (SEPCO) for privatisation. The minister said that the move is part of the government's broader economic reform agenda aimed at improving efficiency and reducing the financial burden of loss-making public enterprises. In written reply to a question, Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said that inflation averaged at 4.5 per cent for FY2025 which is substantial drop from 23.4 per cent during FY2024. He said that the recent inflation for July FY2026 was stood at 4.1 per cent compared to 11.1 per cent same month last year. He said that the government has a comprehensive plan to tackle inflation and stabilise the prices of essential goods by taking administrative, policy and relief. He said that in budget 2025-26, government has increased its support for low-income families by expanding funding for social welfare programmes. He said that a total of Rs 716 billion has been allocated for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), reflecting a 21 percent increase compared to the previous year. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Bankruptcy law reforms to boost industrial stability: SAPM Haroon Akhtar
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Wednesday said that proposed reforms to Pakistan's bankruptcy legislation will serve as a 'comprehensive and supportive legal framework' to ensure industrial stability and revive struggling enterprises. He made these remarks while chairing a high-level meeting of sub-committees on the Bankruptcy Law and prevention of undue harassment by state authorities, according to a press release. The meeting was attended by PM's Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, representatives from the Pakistan Business Council, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), various chambers of commerce, the Anti-Money Laundering authority, and other stakeholders. Pakistan plans to revisit FTAs, mulls bankruptcy law The committees proposed amendments to the Corporate Rehabilitation Act, 2018, including the removal of eligibility thresholds based on receivables, a formal mechanism for stay orders through judicial directives, relief for companies facing winding-up orders, inclusion of companies availing relief under SBP Circular No. 29, and a comprehensive system for asset valuation and mediation. The Corporate Restructuring Companies Act, 2016, was also reviewed, with the committee noting that the Corporate Rehabilitation Board's operations have been delayed due to stringent appointment criteria and budgetary constraints. Khan said the reforms will encourage banks and borrowers to work together under a collaborative framework. Govt to save Rs70bn annually through 100 reforms across 24 ministries The subcommittee on undue institutional harassment also proposed a legal framework to protect the autonomy of the SECP and promote foreign investment through a non-political, interference-free environment. 'Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision is clear: to revive sick industrial units and eliminate undue harassment from state authorities,' Khan said, praising the sub-committees' work and commitment to business-friendly reforms.
