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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Mango festival opens amid climate impact concerns
The Punjab Tourism Department has inaugurated the Mango Festival 2025 in Lahore, showcasing over 50 varieties of the beloved summer fruit. The two-day event at a hotel drew large crowds, including tourists, farmers, agricultural experts, students and professionals from the food and hospitality industry. The festival offered a mix of traditional dance, folk music, handicrafts and a wide array of mango-based dishes, turning the event into a celebration of agriculture, culture and culinary creativity. Provincial Tourism Secretary Fareed Ahmad Tarar and Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Managing Director Dr Nasir Mehmood opened the festival. On the occasion, Tarar described the festival not just as a celebration of mangoes but also as a tribute to the hardworking farmers and the rich agricultural and cultural heritage of the province. Dr Mehmood emphasised that the event would serve as a platform for promoting tourism, hospitality and local industries alongside agriculture. Agricultural expert Rana Asif Hayat Tipu highlighted that five tonnes of export-quality mangoes were made available at farm-gate prices to address public concerns that high-grade fruit is rarely accessible in retail markets. He warned, however, that climate change, intense heat, dust storms and water shortages had severely affected this year's crop, causing an estimated 40 per cent decline in production in some areas. Experts noted that Pakistan typically produces around 1.8 million tonnes of mango annually, with Punjab contributing 70% of the national output, Sindh 29% and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa about 1%. Due to adverse weather conditions, 2025's output is projected to drop to approximately 1.4 million tonnes. Nonetheless, the government has ambitiously raised the export target to 125,000 tonnes for this season, aiming for $100 million in foreign exchange earnings.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Two-day mango festival opens in Lahore
Listen to article The Punjab Tourism Department inaugurated the much-anticipated Mango Festival 2025 in Lahore showcasing over 50 varieties of Pakistan's beloved summer fruit. Held at a local hotel, the two-day event drew large crowds including citizens, tourists, farmers, agricultural experts, students, and professionals from the food and hospitality industry. The festival offered a vibrant mix of traditional dance, folk music, handicrafts, and a wide array of mango-based dishes, turning the event into a unique celebration of agriculture, culture, and culinary creativity. The festival was formally opened by Punjab Secretary of Tourism Fareed Ahmad Tarar and Dr Nasir Mehmood, Managing Director of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP). Tarar described the festival not just as a celebration of mangoes but also as a tribute to the hardworking farmers of Punjab and the province's rich agricultural and cultural heritage. Dr Mehmood emphasized that the event serves as a platform for promoting tourism, hospitality, and local industries alongside agriculture. Agricultural expert Rana Asif Hayat Tipu highlighted that five tons of export-quality mangoes were made available at farm-gate prices to address public concerns that high-grade fruit is rarely accessible in retail markets. He warned, however, that climate change, intense heat, dust storms, and water shortages had severely affected this year's crop, causing an estimated 40–50% decline in production. Read: Eat mango at night for these 10 incredible health benefits Experts noted that Pakistan typically produces around 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes annually, with Punjab contributing 70% of the national output, Sindh 29%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about 1%. Due to adverse weather conditions, 2025's output is projected to drop to approximately 1.4 million metric tons. Nonetheless, the government has ambitiously raised the export target to 125,000 metric tons this season, aiming for $100m (approx. PKR 28m) in foreign exchange earnings. Last year, only 13,681 metric tons were exported, generating $46.7m. Festivalgoers, particularly women and young attendees, expressed excitement over witnessing such a diverse array of mango varieties in one location—something they rarely encounter in local markets. Nimra, a representative of a hospitality group, shared that their stall was focused on teaching attendees how to prepare a variety of mango-based dishes such as cakes, shakes, chutneys, juices, and ice cream, promoting mangoes as a versatile ingredient beyond a simple chilled fruit. Young artist Sarah Muhammad Hussain and her team displayed mango-themed paintings, capturing the fruit's vibrant colors and aromatic essence on canvas. Pakistan cultivates more than 200 mango varieties, about 20 of which are grown commercially and exported globally. These include popular types such as Chaunsa, Sindhri, Neelum, Anwar Ratol, Langra, Dussehri, Began Phali, Gulab Khas, Saroli, and Zafran. Known for their exceptional taste, aroma, color, and nutritional value, Pakistani mangoes continue to enjoy premium status in international markets, earning them the title 'King of Fruits.' According to TDCP officials, the Mango Festival plays a pivotal role in boosting agri-tourism and cultural exchange while also facilitating direct interaction between growers and exporters—enhancing value chains and market access for local producers. Previously, twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi revelled in the sweet bliss of mangoes, aptly hailed as the "King of Fruits," as the juicy delight brings joy to people of all ages in the summer season. Vibrant displays of mangoes greet shoppers in local markets, with vendors showcasing every kind of mango from the renowned Chaunsa, Sindhri, and Anwar Ratol to the prized Langra, Fajli, and Dusehri. Every type of variety is readily available. Mango lovers can relish the sweetness of Chaunsa, the tanginess of Sindhri, or explore other unique flavors, making the twin cities a haven for mango connoisseurs. As people enjoy the mango season, vendors are working hard to meet the demand. A fruit vendor in Islamabad's F-6 market, Muhammad Ali, shared that "We are importing mangoes from the best orchards in Sindh and Punjab to ensure top quality and flavour. He said that Mangoes are flying off the shelves and they are having a great season so far, with Chaunsa and Sindhri being the top sellers.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
All set for Ravi Jeep Rally at weekend
Around 65 drivers from across the country took part in the Thal Jeep Rally, which was organised by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation. PHOTOS: APP A jeep rally will be organised on May 10 and 11 in the River Ravi area, featuring a 30-kilometre route. The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) will organise the Lahore Ravi Jeep Rally with the support of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA). Chairing a coordination meeting to review the preparations, Divisional Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood directed the Lahore and Sheikhupura administrations to provide full support to the organisers and issue effective traffic management plans to ensure smooth flow and public convenience during the event. He also ordered the preparation of duty rosters for relevant departments. He emphasised that Rescue 1122 must establish emergency response camps along the entire route. Firefighting vehicles and equipment must remain active and readily available. Medical camps, emergency centres and ambulance services should be deployed to provide immediate assistance if required. Security arrangements will be managed jointly by the Lahore, Sheikhupura, motorway and highway police. The commissioner said the jeep rally is a major tourism and motorsport event for the region and called on all departments to collaborate closely to ensure a safe, organised and vibrant experience for the participants and spectators.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Tap into Central Asia for growth'
After evolving business-friendly strategies-cum-policies, Pakistan can promote and foster its rich cultural tourism, while deepening and strengthening bilateral ties with Central Asian states aimed at growing the national economy, economic nationalists said. Undoubtedly, Pakistan, the land of pure multiculturalism, is blessed with rich tourism opportunities which have historic and holistic roots with Central Asia, the jewel of ancient civilization, traditions, and human wisdom. Talking to The Express Tribune, they suggested that both federal and provincial governments of Pakistan, the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), chambers of commerce, industrialists, and all other stakeholders should chalk out a holistic and comprehensive marketing plan for the further strengthening of cultural and tourism cooperation, consisting of promoting wedding ceremonies of obscenely rich people in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kirshi and Fergana Valley, Turkistan, Almaty, Ashkhabad, Bishkek and Dushanbe, providing family values, full of privacy, Halal intimacy, healthy environment, immense safety and security, colourful geographies, natural beauty, comfortable hospitality, and comparatively lesser prices. All the stakeholders should deeply study the Indian city Kerala model of family, corporate, insurance, and medical tourism in Central Asia, promoting its domestic tour and traveling operators' business, which must be replicated in brightening bilateral/trilateral cultural and tourism ties with Central Asian countries. Holding of annual performance awards of various chambers of commerce, films, PTV, private channels' award ceremonies, media's functions, and musical conferences should be arranged on a reciprocal basis. Even religious and ritual tourism would also be promoted. When it comes to the rich economic potential of the Central Asian states, Pakistan can leverage Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan by evolving business-friendly strategies-cum-policies. Many published reports of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) vividly reflect the huge economic potential of the Central Asian countries. All countries have numerous natural resources like oil, gas, rare earth minerals, gold, copper, aluminium, and nuclear deposits instrumental for the rapid growth of South Asia, especially Pakistan, which must be explored and tapped as soon as possible. Uzbekistan, being the most versatile and diversified country in terms of economy, investment, joint ventures, trans-regional connectivity, hybrid agriculture, textiles, garments, manufacturing, and renewables, has the ability and vision for promoting trans-regional connectivity through trade and business activities. Thus, policymakers of Pakistan must further strengthen the scope, utility, and expansion of bilateral trade instead of wasting their time, financial resources, and energies in Afghanistan. A trilateral economic cooperation, trade consortium, banking and finance integration, qualitative manufacturing capacities, green cooperation, peaceful nuclear utilisations, military joint collaboration, production of lithium batteries, digitalisation, e-commerce, reciprocal trade houses, building of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and a joint development bank among Pakistan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan should be promoted and implemented in the days to come. Economic strategist and regional expert Dr Mehmoodul Hassan Khan said as far as the significance of Uzbekistan is concerned, the Republic of Uzbekistan has ancient civilisation, traditions, customs, and splendid human wisdom mesmerising the world for centuries. It remained very famous for its unmatched knowledge, connectivity, productivity, and constructive participation, acting as a connecting hub of cultures, civilisations, commerce, and true compassion on the ancient Silk Road. He said Uzbekistan has the biggest population/human resources, largest cultural sites, shrines, tombs of star clergies, famous warriors, renowned writers, inventors, scholars, and natural, cultural, and tourism wonders having larger-than-life status and momentum, giving it a comparatively superior place in the entire Central Asia. "Thus, further strengthening of bilateral cultural and tourism cooperation with Uzbekistan is indeed connecting ourselves with our own ancient roots," he said. He said Uzbekistan is the Middle Corridor connecting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with South Caucasus, the greater Eurasia region, and Europe, presenting lots of mutually befitting propositions and win-win partnerships. Thus, Pakistan's government should prepare an innovative, integrated, interactive approach. He said it is proposed that the formation of a cultural and tourism bank, a joint travelling and tour operator company, a joint marketing company, digital visa, and maintenance of direct flights in which Pakistani private airline companies must play a positive role arranging direct and connecting flights to Tashkent.
