Pakistan turns to tourism
Pakistan to ease restrictions on visas in order to revive its tourism sector.
Islamabad: Pakistan has announced plans to ease visa restrictions for tourists from 90 countries, including the US and Europe, in a bid to revive its tourism sector, decimated by years of negligence and problems with militants.
Cabinet minister Fahmida Mirza announced the plans on Friday in Islamabad. She pledged authorities would do everything possible to ensure the safety of visiting tourists.
Mirza said that citizens of 175 countries will be able to obtain visas electronically, over the internet. She added that visitors from 50 countries, including America, will be able to get their visas on arrival rather than through Pakistani embassies abroad.
Pakistan has K-2, the world's second-highest mountain, scenic valleys in the north and beautiful deserts but its tourism has industry has suffered serious setbacks because of violence that plagues the country.