Why are foreign tourists increasingly choosing Northern Areas?

News Desk

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s snow-capped mountains, ancient heritage sites and improving tourist facilities are increasingly attracting global attention, with more than 8,000 foreign tourists visiting the province’s northern areas last year — a development officials describe as a major boost for the region’s tourism profile.

Secretary Culture and Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Saadat Hassan, said the surge in international visitors reflects the provincial government’s focused efforts to promote tourism under the vision of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and the special directives of Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah.

He said tourism authorities in the northern regions are working round the clock to ensure that both local and foreign visitors are provided with modern facilities and a secure, welcoming environment.

He shared these views while speaking to the media during his visit to China Window in Peshawar, a state-of-the-art Chinese Cultural and Information Centre that has become a symbol of growing cultural exchange between Pakistan and China.

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During the visit, Saadat Hassan toured various galleries, signed the Friendship Wall and recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book.

Highlighting the broader tourism strategy, the secretary said the Culture and Tourism Department is simultaneously focusing on promoting scenic destinations, preserving cultural heritage and projecting the ancient Gandhara civilisation to an international audience.

Alongside the growing number of foreign tourists, he added, millions of domestic travellers continue to visit KP’s northern belt every year, keeping the tourism economy vibrant throughout most of the year.

Saadat Hassan also underlined the importance of cultural diplomacy, particularly with China, calling Pak-China friendship “time-tested and exemplary”.

He said the provincial government is fully prepared to enhance cooperation with China in tourism and culture, including through the exchange of cultural delegations, which he noted would further deepen bilateral ties.

Praising the establishment of China Window, the secretary termed it a commendable initiative that is playing a vital role in promoting cultural harmony and mutual understanding. Officials at the centre informed him that visitor numbers have already crossed 400,000, reflecting strong public interest.

He was also briefed that the 75th anniversary of Pak-China friendship will be marked this year with a series of events planned across the province, aimed at highlighting shared history, culture and people-to-people links.

At the conclusion of the visit, Administrator China Window Amjad Aziz Malik presented a commemorative shield to the Secretary Culture and Tourism, acknowledging his department’s efforts to promote tourism and cultural exchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.