Lahore:
The chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, announced the launch of a tourist project, “Magnifice Punjab”, aimed at transforming the province into a regional and international center for history, culture and tourism.
As part of the initiative, 170 historic sites, including 101 Gurdwaras and 53 churches, will be transformed into world -class tourist destinations. The mapping of these sites is already over.
The project has been underway for five months under the leadership of the main minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who approved key proposals.
The Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority should be established to supervise all tourism institutions and linked to heritage.
A new tourism policy and the 2024 Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority law have also been prepared to ensure structured development.
CM Maryam Nawaz allocated funds in the annual development plan for the restoration of Punjab heritage sites in three phases, with work starting in July.
The first phase should be completed by June, while the second and third phases will follow.
The immediate approval of the PC-I was directed for 16 tourist projects, notably Bansara Gali, the tourist village and various parks.
Among the main initiatives, Taxila will be transformed into an international “tourist city”, while the Manga Chhanga will be transformed into a modern entertainment center on the Swiss model.
The Taxila Museum will be upgraded with modern display centers, a Siddhartha gallery and new places of worship for Buddhist visitors. 46 Inactive Gurdwaras will also be restored to attract Sikhs pilgrims.
CM Maryam Nawaz underlined the protection of minority religious sites and the upgrading of infrastructure to provide world -class facilities to tourists.
The Dilkush Lahore project was allocated to 400 million rupees to preserve the historical meaning of Mall Road.
For the first time, the Punjab was divided into nine tourist regions as part of the “tourist trails” initiative, covering key historical and cultural sites.
A safari train will take place along these trails, and tourists will receive special discounts thanks to partnerships with the private sector.
The 17th century Hiran Minar is also ready for catering and the Blue Dome will be extended. About 240 million rupees were approved to modernize the 131 -year -old Lahore museum.
With the support of UNESCO, the history of 1,000 years of Punjab will be preserved using digital narration. Tourists will discover the culture of punjab, folk tales, music, art and heritage in interactive technology.
A digital tourist application has also been developed to provide information and services directly to visitors.
CM Maryam Nawaz stressed that the promotion of tourism will stimulate the economy of Punjab and improve the global image of Pakistan.
“The nations that forget their history, their culture and their heroes disappear. We bring the rich heritage of Punjab in the world,” she said.
She also congratulated Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and her team for their dedication, expressing her confidence in the successful execution of the project.
