Ahsan Iqbal urges autonomous Pakistan Tourism Authority
A three-day Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival opens in Islamabad from Friday with private sector sponsorship.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal called for an autonomous Pakistan Tourism Authority on Thursday, the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
Iqbal said the proposed body should include representatives of all four provinces and coordinate tourism activity at the national level, during a meeting with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar in Islamabad.
He stressed that Pakistan should be promoted abroad as a single tourism destination, pointing to the country's natural beauty and rich tourism resources.
Iqbal said an effective strategy and institutional cooperation were needed to tap the country's large tourism potential.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, the Prime Minister's Coordinator on Tourism, briefed the meeting on steps taken to promote tourism and the achievements of 2025-26.
Participants discussed creating effective national institutions to promote tourism and sports, along with better coordination among the provinces.
Khan told the meeting that a three-day Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival 2026 would begin in Islamabad on Friday.
The festival has won sponsorship from the private sector, and tourism and recreational activities will be held at several locations across the capital, including Lake View Park, he said.
Tourism policy in Pakistan has long involved both the federal government and the provinces, since the 18th Amendment to the Constitution devolved the subject to the provinces.
Officials have repeatedly discussed the need for closer coordination between the two levels to market the country's scenic northern areas and other destinations to visitors.
