Pakistan is seeking to reimagine its capital city as a regional hub for tourism and hospitality, part of a  broader effort to unlock economic opportunity and reshape the country’s international image. On Friday, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Tourism Affairs, met with Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman of  the Capital Development Authority and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, to review proposals aimed at enhancing Islamabad’s appeal to both  domestic and international visitors. 

“Tourism is more than leisure , it is a catalyst for economic growth, a generator of jobs, and a powerful way to showcase Pakistan’s culture and hospitality to the world,” Mr. Khan said. “Islamabad, with its natural beauty and peaceful character, has the potential to stand among the great tourist capitals of the region.” Mr. Khan stressed that expanding the tourism and hotel industry could open new streams of foreign investment and provide thousands of jobs for Pakistan’s young workforce.

He underlined the government’s readiness to collaborate with the CDA and private investors, calling public-private partnerships essential for creating modern facilities such as parks, pedestrian zones, and world-class hospitality infrastructure. CDA Chairman Randhawa briefed the Coordinator on projects under consideration, including a cable car system, a theme park, a safari park, and the near-completion of a multi-story parking plaza in Islamabad’s Blue Area.

Officials said both sides agreed that positioning Islamabad as a tourist-friendly, green, and modern city will require integrated planning, environmental stewardship, and active engagement with the business community. “Pakistan’s economy can no longer depend solely on traditional sectors,” Mr. Khan noted. “Tourism has the potential to become a pillar of growth and a bridge between Pakistan and the wider world.” 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)