Pakistan’s Role in the SCO’s Year of Tourism 2023 Forum

A high-level delegation from Pakistan participated in the “Year of Tourism 2023 Forum” held in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) from 23 to 25 November 2023. The forum, an initiative of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), aimed to promote tourism and encourage cooperation among member countries.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Mr. Hammad Shamimi, Additional Secretary Cabinet Division. Other members included Mr. Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC, Mr. Ahmed Shafiq, CEO of COTHM, and Ms. Fareena Arshad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the SCO Secretariat.

The forum served as a platform for discussions on fostering collaboration in the tourism industry, sharing best practices, and developing strategies for the sector’s development. These strategies aim to contribute to the socio-economic growth in the SCO region.

In addition to participating in the forum’s sessions, the Pakistani delegation also held conversations with various heads of delegations. Special emphasis was placed on promoting bilateral tourism between China and Pakistan.