Punjab Government Allocates Substantial Budget for Tourism Promotion: Dr Ehsan Bhutta

Islamabad: Punjab Secretary for Tourism and Archaeology Dr Ehsan Bhutta stated that the Punjab government has allocated a substantial budget for the promotion of tourism in the province. In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan’s correspondent Qasim Bukhari on the occasion of World Tourism Day, he emphasized that tourism is a key driver in strengthening local culture and boosting the economy.

According to Radio Pakistan, Dr Bhutta revealed that the Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) will upgrade 12 tourist sites to international standards. The initiative aims to move away from the traditional brick-and-mortar approach and actively promote a green environment. Highlighting Punjab’s tourism strategy, Dr Bhutta noted that it focuses on two key areas: religious tourism, particularly for Sikh pilgrims, and heritage tourism centered on Buddhist sites.

He further mentioned that Buddhist monks have recently praised the government’s efforts to safeguard and promote cultural heritage, reflecting the positive impact of these initiatives on the community and international relations.