President General Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan's recent economic turnaround will help bolster tourism industry as both the public and private sectors are to join hands in improving facilities for visitors. "The government is using its resources to put in place a befitting network of infrastructure and with the unprecedented boom in housing and information technology sectors, the country is set to offer better facilities to tourists", he said.

He told representatives of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, who called on him here on Tuesday that the government will encourage investment in the hotel industry and said in this regard, the marked increase in domestic tourism bodes well for both local and foreign investors.

The President said the government is also striving for improving Pakistan's image abroad and projecting its vast tourism potential. In this regard, he referred to the country's hosting of international events, including Lahore Marathon and Expo-2005.

"We are endeavouring to project true image of the country through promotion of sports and cultural events", he said, while giving examples of Heritage Museum in Islamabad and the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi.

Federal Tourism Minister Ghazi Gulab Jamal and Minister of State for Tourism Ms Sumera Malik were also present during the meeting.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005