Promote tourism in Balochistan
Promote tourism in Balochistan
Editorial
Editorial

It can be hard to remember now, but there was a time when Balochistan was a prime tourist destination. The security issue would bedevil any country trying to boost tourism but provincial governments over the years have scarcely helped matters.

It can be hard to remember now, but there was a time when Balochistan was a prime tourist destination. The security issue would bedevil any country trying to boost tourism but provincial governments over the years have scarcely helped matters.

Balochistan possess huge potentials for development of tourism. Unfortunately, no efforts were made to develop tourism industry in the province at official level, since the very outset. The decision-makers in Islamabad, tried to keep Balochistan a “dark region” denying its natural endowments.

Tourism has been the fastest growing industry of the last decade, as disposable incomes grow throughout the world. The rapid expansion of tourism industry has brought economic benefits to many contemporary societies.

Balochistan acquired international fame and attention for wonderful paleontological discoveries. The first dinosaur fossils of Pakistan were discovered in the Vitakri area of Barkhan district, in Balochistan. With the discovery, Pakistan is now among the few countries of the world, which possess dinosaur fossils and have witnessed their extinction around 65 million years ago.

The 770km long coastal belt along the Arabian Sea linking Lasbela and Gwadar districts can be developed as lovely tourist site.

Kund Malir beach now among Asia’s Top 50 Beaches, this extremely beautiful and untouched shoreline rests between the desert, mountain and sea, making for some breathtaking views at the bottom edge of Hingol National Park.

This golden beach, with its unparalleled serenity and so much more, is a must-see destination Pakistan. Venture off the coastal highway to relax on the smooth sands by the Arabian Sea.

This exceptional, natural marvel of the world is where the water meets a desert. It is an attractive desert beach with palm trees on the coastline. As this place has gained popularity recently by featuring into the top 50 beaches of Asia, Kund Malir is a clean beach with crystal clear, shimmering water.

Pir Ghaib Bolan, Moola Chotok in Khuzdar, Balochistan. Amidst stronghold of nationalists in the Jhalawan belt, Chotok seemed like a lost cause at first. Now open to locals and tourists to go and witness the unfathomable beauty.

Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar Satadip or ‘Island of the Seven Hills’, is a small uninhabited Pakistani island in the Arabian Sea. Also the largest island in Pakistan, it is the epitome of Balochistan’s undermined beauty and a great tourist attraction indeed.

Ziarat with its attractive scenery, healthy and cool environment, Juniper forests and historical importance endears tourists.
The hammerhead rocks in Makran, marble rocks in Loralai and evenly colored mountains in Khuzdar are also of great tourist attraction by virtue of their remarkable beauty. Archaeological discoveries in Balochistan like Mehargarh are older than that of Manjo Daro in Sindh.

The tourism issues also need to be reviewed from a sociological perspective. The government must take significant steps to exploit fully the coastal tourism potential of the province. The restriction on the movement of foreign tourists and visitors in Balochistan should immediately be lifted. Like other three provinces, the Tourism Development Corporation should be established in Balochistan. Government should encourage the participation of private sector for tourism development in the province offering it incentives and necessary concessions in this regard.

We suggest to established information centers for guidance of tourists in various districts of Balochistan. Necessary infrastructure including transport and communication, hotels, motels and restaurants should be developed and improved in the province. The sites of tourism attraction all over the province should be developed furnished and facilitated with necessary services. The law and order problem hinders any strategy to develop tourism sector in the province.

The provincial government should take foolproof measures to provide security to the foreign tourists and researchers, who want to visit and explore the province.  Balochistan can earn millions of rupees in terms of foreign exchange by developing tourism industry in the province.