Maryam okays work on 170 tourist sites

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has given in-principle approval for the construction, repair and restoration of 170 tourist sites and trails in the province.

She also gave in-principle approval for the first Tourism and Heritage Authority of Punjab. She chaired a meeting on Tuesday in which it was decided that tourism sites would be developed in various cities including Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Chakwal and Jhelum. The meeting agreed to develop the Chhanga Manga Forest Park and the Lal Suhanra National Park for the promotion of eco-tourism. It was agreed that the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025 would be presented to improve governance for the promotion of tourism. The meeting was informed that the first complete Tourism Magnificent App of Punjab had been developed and would be launched soon. The App would allow a virtual tour of 170 tourist destinations. It includes all features related to tourism. Travel visits and hotel bookings can be made through it. Food Panda and other services can also be obtained through this App. Useful information can be obtained from the chatbot on the Magnificent App.

The CM gave in-principle approval for Punjab’s largest and most comprehensive tourism plan. Under the plan, religious and historical heritage, antiquities and ecotourism will be promoted across Punjab. Tourist villages will be built for tourists to give them a sense of proximity to ancient civilization. Tourism trails will be developed for the first time in Punjab. District Mall Road, Walled City of Lahore, Sikh Site, Mughal Monuments of GT Road are included in the tourist trail. Salt Range, Bhati Gate, Taxila Gate, Gujranwala, Aimanabad Sikh tourism trails will be established. Tourist places of different cities will be developed as Tourism Clusters.

Taxila Museum, Dharma Rachi Ka, Jolian, Sarkep and Giri Fort related to the Gandhara civilization are included in the tourism plan. Multan’s living heritage site Qila Kahna Qasim Bagh will be restored as a symbol of Indus Valley civilization. A special trail will be developed in Uch Sharif for the convenience of pilgrims. The proposal to restore the ancient buildings of Gurdwaras and churches was reviewed for the promotion of tourism.

The CM said: “We are laying the foundation for the promotion of global tourism in Punjab. We want to make all tourist destinations on a par with international standards. Taxila will be made a complete tourist site, a five-star hotel will be built there. We have placed our entire focus on the promotion of tourism in Punjab and a tourist hub will be established.”

Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic: The efforts of the CM have not only changed the condition of old health centres in Punjab but also the fate of people in the province, as 750 health centres in remote areas of Punjab have started to look like clinics in European countries. She entrusted the management of these state-of-the-art Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics to young doctors and said: “Construction was completed in a record time, the external look of the basic health centres has also been changed. Dilapidated doors, broken furniture and poor buildings have been transformed into the most modern clinics.”