Fortunately, our country Pakistan is blessed with every sort of tourist attractive site. From deserts to snow, forests to cities, glaciers to the lake, mountains to plains, the historical, cultural and heritage of Pakistan’s civilization is known across the world. Pakistan is a country of world tours within one country.

If one takes the examples of historical places then Taxila and one of the oldest civilizations, Mohenjo-Daro are parts of Pakistan. Religious places have its root in Pakistan. Be it Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism. Places like Sikh’s Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, the Mosque built by the Mughal emperor, Badshahi Mosque the largest Mosque Faisal Mosque, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib,  Abbasi Jamia Masjid Qila Derawar, Grand Jamia Masjid Bahria Town. There are around 8 famous Hindu temples that are major tour sites as well. Be it Nani Mandir or Hanglaj Mandir. In fact, the Shri Hinglaj Mata temple is visited by 250,000 pilgrims every year.

There are so many countries like Switzerland, Thailand, the UK, the USA and even our neighboring countries like India and allies like China has been boasting their economy through tourism and their tourist sites are far less than our natural areas of beauty like Naran Khagan, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu. The atmosphere differs from city to city in Pakistan making it a four seasonal country. In Balochistan, the Dry fruits of Quetta bloom in winter while the dates and mangoes are the beauty of Turbat city during summer. The desert of Sindh and the Mazar of Quaid. From Minar-e-Pakistan to Sheesh Mahal Pakistan is itself a tourist attraction.

However, what has made Pakistan’s tourism sector so weak is untrained officials and corruption. Further, there are no facilities of hygiene in tourist sites for locals or foreigners. Moreover, the lack of restaurants, hotels, and over charging of hotels is another issue. Poor infrastructures have been increasing day by day.

The land of glaciers and lakes is being so ignored that droughts are ruling and glaciers melting. According to resources, there’s a high chance of Mohenjo-Daro’s demolition if steps are not taken immediately. It is time that Pakistan works on its tourism sector to boost its economy and build a trustworthy relationship with other countries. If Pakistan wants to meet the challenge of 1trillion by 2025 from the tourism sector then today is the day to start.

The writer is a student and a freelance columnist, based in Balochistan.