Number of tourists touches 0.9m mark
By Bushra Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD—The number of tourists to Pakistan during last three years is witnessing a remarkable surge, reaching 0.9 million from 0.5 million in 2003.
One should realize the commitment of present government which implemented various projects and plans to promote culture and tourism.
Highlighting the initiatives, official sources Thursday said National Monument Museum has been established with the prime objective to explain Pakistan in historical perspective not only to the visiting foreigners but also to the Pakistanis and future generations at home. The government also took decision to allow exhibition of two Indian films in Pakistan. Iqbal Academy published 50 new books and 17 reprints during last three years as well as 12 issues of Iqbal review or Iqbaliyat into major languages of the world. During the period mentioned above construction of National Art Gallery was re-activated in June 2005 and completed in 2007.
Immigration and customs facilities have been increased at Wagha Borderto facilitate the Sikh Yatrees from India.
The government also took substantive initiatives during the period to introduce women in mainstream. One of the step was promulgation of “The Criminal Act 2005.” Similarly, the existing legal framework is being constantly reviewed and amended to strengthen the efforts for protection of women’s rights.
During the period 2004-07 Ministry of Women Development allocated Rs. 750 million for development projects out of which Rs. 400 million have been utilized for empowering women. Around 38 developmentprojects were completed throughout the country. Around 25 women centres have been established to provide protection and rehabilitation facilities to women victims of violence and abuse. Women’s Political School with a funding of US $ 4.57 million was also launched for capacity building of local women councilors. Likewise, a pilot project District Resource Centre for Women in Local Government has been approved and District Resource Centres were completed at Peshawar, Hangu, Quetta, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Karachi and Jaffarabad.
The sources further said to promote provincial harmony the government has strived to meet the grievances of the people of smaller provinces and assure them that regardless of the number game, they will neither be dominated nor exploite by the larger provinces or the Center.
They said from 2006-07 onward the transfer of divisible taxes are being made under Distribution of Revenues and Grants-in-Aid (Amendment) Order, 2006 and as a result, the provinces are getting much more resources. Against the transfers of Rs.338 billion during the 2005-06, the share provided to provinces in 2006-07 was Rs. 430 billion, representing an overall increase of Rs. 91.498 billion which is 27 per cent.