Beyond easy visas

The government has announced that online visas will be issued within 24 hours to various categories of travelers from as many as 126 countries, without charging any visa fee. If the rulers think that such measures alone will increase tourism in the country they are living in a fool’s paradise. It is primarily the quality of the local environment and infrastructure that defines and promotes tourism, both domestic and international.

Unfortunately, the law-and-order situation in Pakistan has been deteriorating in all major cities in recent years and the government remains insensitive to the worsening situation. Karachi has even been ranked by Forbes Adviser as the second riskiest city for tourists out of 60 international cities. There is an urgent need to lower personal safety risks including crime, violence, and terrorist threats. But does the government have the political will to do it?

Hussain Siddiqui

Islamabad