Tourism potential in Balochistan
Tourism potential in Balochistan
Editorial
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With the virtue of its natural treasure trove, captivating sceneries, significant sites of multifold importance, variety of flora and fauna, diversity of climates and unique geology, Balochistan possess huge potentials in tourism. The province can emerge as prime focus of attention of foreign tourists for its archaeological importance.

With the virtue of its natural treasure trove, captivating sceneries, significant sites of multifold importance, variety of flora and fauna, diversity of climates and unique geology, Balochistan possess huge potentials in tourism. The province can emerge as prime focus of attention of foreign tourists for its archaeological importance.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal on Monday said the provincial government has been working on an effective policy for the development of the province’s 700km long coastline to yield major energy and tourism benefits for the people of the province.

CM Kamal emphasised that by ensuring good governance, the overall performance of the province’s departments could be further enhanced. He reiterated his commitment and the government’s plan to turn the coastal strip into a major tourist attraction, calling initiative beneficial and for the economy.

“Gadani, Pasni, Jiwani, Kund Malir and Haft Talar island are the most beautiful and attractive spots in Balochistan which need government assistance,” Kamal said while vowing to develop tourism spots along the coastline of Balochistan.

Unfortunately, no efforts were made to develop tourism industry in the province at official level, since the very outset. The province was deliberately ignored and kept backward making it unattractive for foreign tourists and investors. No serious efforts were made to develop this region’s vast potential in tourism.

Balochistan comprises of four distinct climate regions – tropical coastal region, sub tropical continental plateau, sub tropical continental low lands and sub tropical continental high lands. Whereas humid coastal areas like Mekran lie here, the arid and hottest areas of Kachhi plain and Kharan desert are also included in Balochistan. Not only the hottest place of Sibi but the coldest places of Kanmehtarzai are located in this province.

The 750-KM long coastal belt along the Arabian Sea linking Lasbela and Gwadar districts can be developed into a lovely tourist site. Fascinating beach of Gwadar, Jabl-e-Zarin beach at Pasni, 20 KM long Jiwani near Iranian port city of ‘Chabahar’, Daran beach at Jiwani and many sites along coastal belt can be made a tourists rendezvous.

Mekran division is known for its 70% of natural dates production of more than 100 varieties. Historically, Mekran has an importance in Muslim history as the Muslim conquest of it took place under Hazrat Umar (R.A) Caliphate. One can still visualize the sights of historical Muslim invasions of Mekran through the signs still preserved in Turbat. The hammerhead rocks in Mekran, marble rocks in Loralai and evenly colored mountains in Khuzdar are also of great tourist attraction by virtue of their remarkable beauty.

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.

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.

There is a need for taking concrete measures to promote tourism in Balochistan. High profile and quality restaurants, hotels and motels are essential to promote tourism in a region of tourist attraction. Unfortunately, on the whole Balochistan absolutely lacks the restaurants and hotels of international standards along with the tourist sites.

The Provincial government needs to develop a physical and hospitality infrastructure in places where they want to promote tourism. At present, the Balochistan remains a tourist-unfriendly place. If we want tourism to flourish, the incumbent government will have to work hard on all aspects to encourage domestic and foreign travellers. Otherwise, we can forget about a ‘heaven for tourists’. The 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.