(I) Introduction
The tourism sector plays an important role in the development of any country. Fortunately, Pakistan is one of the countries where there are plenty of opportunities which can make Pakistan a tourist paradise. High mountains, lush green valleys, vast plains, natural freshwater lakes, holy sites for people of all faiths, archeological sites across the country and a variety of cultural colours are in Pakistan. They have the full potential to attract tourists from around the world. However, it is also an undeniable fact that despite being rich in tourism resources, Pakistan's tourism sector has not been able to play a commendable role in the country's development. Fortunately, the government is fully aware of the importance and usefulness of tourism and is taking revolutionary steps to develop this sector. It is hoped that the timely completion of tourism projects, initiated by the government will open the door to prosperity in Pakistan.
(ii) Pakistan's Tourist Destinations
A brief description of Pakistan's tourist destinations is given below:
Tourist Places Full of Natural Scenery
Tourist destinations full of natural scenery include Hunza Valley, Deosai Plain (Baltistan), Naltar Valley (Gilgit), Fairy Meadows, Nanga Parbat and K- 2 Base Camp, Kailash Valley, Swat Valley, Kaghan and Naran, Nathia Gali, Thandiani, Murree, Kotli Satian, Soon Valley Sakesar, Koh- e- Sulaiman, Chaman, Ziarat, Gawadar, Beaches of Karachi and Balochistan etc.
Religious Tourist Places
Religious tourist places include Taxila (Rawalpindi), Badshahi Masjid Lahore, Shahjahan Masjid Thatha, Masjid Mahabat Khan Peshawar, Katas Raj Temple (Chakwal), Tilla Jogian (Jhelum), Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib (Narowal) and Hassan Abdal (Attock) etc.
Important Historical Places in Terms of Tourism
Important historical tourist places include Akrand Fort, Kenhaty Garden, Kallar Kahar (Soon Valley, (district Khushab), Shahi Fort (Lahore), Shalamar Garden (Lahore), Derawar Fort (Bahawalpur), Alit Fort (Gilgit Baltistan), Shigar Fort (Shigar- Baltistan), Skardu Fort (Skardu), Mughal Garden (Wah), Attock Fort, Rohtas Fort (Jhelum), Rani Kot Fort (Jamshoro, Sindh), Sharda Fort (Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir), Takht- e- Bhai (Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Bhambhore (Thatta, Sindh), Fort Monroe (Dera Ghazi Khan), Bala Hissar Fort (Peshawar), Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Hingol National Park (Makran, Balochistan) and Jhal Magsi (Balochistan) etc.