TGP June-24
Pakistan is working tirelessly to create a vibrant tourism sector. In the next month, two international symposiums are being held to highlight Pakistan’s tourism potential. It is impressive to note that the players focused in the promotion are myriad and a collective effort is emerging comprising of traditional and non-traditional players.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the lead of Imran Siddiqui, supported by his Secretary and Minister, is organizing a symposium next week titled “From Gandhara to the World”. It is bringing together academics, monks and experts to discuss two aspect of Gandhara – Heritage and Pilgrimage. There will be many speakers at this event, including myself, who will speak on the various aspects of tourism, but that is only relatively important. What is important is that for the past decade that I have been involved in the promotion of the Pakistan’s Gandharan heritage, this is the first symposium which specifically uses the term “pilgrimage” and has a dedicated session on this category of tourists. This cannot be overstated.
Additionally, in June, PTDC and World Bank will be holding another symposium “Pakistan Travel & Tourism Symposium 2024”. This is the brain child of Aftab-ur-Rahman Rana, MD PTDC. This event is very far-reaching and the sessions cover almost all aspects of the tourism sector value chain – aviation, transportation, visa facilitation, investments, responsible tourism, tourism diversification, perception building, etc. A sectoral value chain model for tourism is the need of the time and this is arguably the first symposium that will discuss all the components which need to be addressed to create a vibrant tourism sector.
It is welcoming to see a new vision and maturity rising in our government functionaries for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan. They are now focusing on specific tourists, while also reviewing all hindrances to the tourism sector. Tourism is a complex phenomenon and countries who have focused on it have tried to find their particular niche. In fact, tourism is so complex that my research shows that there are more than 22 areas of tourism, namely; adventure, cultural, benefit, business, medical, eco, agro, birth, education, cruise, disaster, eno, recreation, escorted, religious, sport, dark, beach, rural, domestic, wildlife, and day visitors. Which category should Pakistan appeal to? What number of tourists can Pakistan attract? What is the economic consequence for Pakistan? Let us look into it.
Rather that losing the forest from the trees by evaluating the 22 categories, let us focus on four categories of tourists essential for Pakistan; nature and beauty, adventure, heritage, and pilgrimage. All four have potential and Pakistan has been rising in its world ranking in these categories. Having said that, it is easy to prove that the last category will dwarf the other categories. This category is religious tourism, specifically Buddhist pilgrims. So as not to ignore the categories of nature tourism, adventure tourism and heritage tourism, let us first discuss these three.
In the area of nature and adventure tourism, Pakistan has been marketing the iconic northern areas for decades. Pakistan was the “Best Holiday Destination 2020” and “third-highest potential adventure destination for 2020”(Conde Nast Traveller), and “tourist’s next big thing”(Lonely Planet 2010). All welcome titles. However, these accolades and efforts have not translated to substantial success. In fact, to quote one figure from the GB government, 11,000 tourists visited the area in 2023. For Pakistan, every tourist counts, but this is pittance. Apparently, there are limits to Pakistan’s attraction for nature and adventure tourists which are perhaps linked to misperceptions about safety and Pakistan being a “dry” nation. Thus, this category of tourists alone cannot translate to a vibrant and multi-billion dollar sector.
World Heritage tourists can be in large numbers. These are typically the tourists who have a bucket-list of world heritage sites to visit, usually are more advanced in age and more affluent. India gets 20 million tourists annually and India World Heritage sites act as catalysts. India has 42 sites on the UNESCO list with 6 tentative sites. In comparison, Pakistan has only 6 sites on the UNESCO list with 26 in the tentative list. If Pakistan can get these 26 sites approved by UNESCO, it can emerge as a major destination for heritage-site tourists, but world bureaucracies move slowly.
Foregoing paragraphs show the limitations in potential for the first three categories of tourists. Let us now delve into the category with the most potential; religious tourism. For the sake of brevity, let us focus on Gandhara based tourism. Gandharan region became the center of Buddhism for centuries, was visited by Lord Buddha in past lives (as per legend) and was the birth place of the Second Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche.
Considering that there are more than 500 million Buddhists in the world, Pakistan should focus on attracting 1 percent of the Buddhist as tourists. These would number 5 million pilgrims. Each pilgrim will typically spend 14 days visiting the innumerable sites of Gandhara in KPK, Punjab and GB. Considering the average cost of $200 per day for expenses per pilgrim (food, airfare, local transportation, lodging, and other expenses), Pakistan would earn $14 billion. That is ten folds what Pakistan earned last year from the tourism sector at $1.3 billion.
We can learn from Saudi Arabia and in a unique way, make religious pilgrims the future for Pakistan’s tourism sector.
The writer is a former senior advisor to the government and a sector development specialist. He is also a promoter of Pakistan and its Buddhist heritage.
(Professor Muhammad Sarwar, TI, The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus)
The observations made by Professor Stewart, a distinguished educator who spent fifty years teaching in Rawalpindi, offer valuable guidance for parents and families striving to nurture responsible, independent and capable individuals. Drawing on my own extensive experience spanning over 40 years in higher education, I echo Professor Stewart’s views: unless we prepare our children from the beginning and continue this preparation through university education, we cannot avoid staggering behind globally. In Pakistani society, the role of mothers is pivotal in shaping their children’s future. However, the tendency to over-nurture and over-serve can hinder children’s development. Mothers often perform all tasks for their children, including washing, ironing, polishing their shoes, preparing and packing lunch boxes, cleaning their books and bags, and making their beds. While these actions stem from love and care, they can lead to children becoming dependent and lazy, unable to perform basic tasks independently.
This pattern continues into university years, where parents continue to meet all their children’s needs, handling all transportation to and from university, washing their clothes, cleaning their bedrooms, making their beds, preparing meals and covering all expenditures until their children begin to earn independently. Such extensive pampering prevents the development of confidence and independence, hindering creativity, fostering laxity and discouraging goal-setting, leading to a lack of drive and ambition. Children raised in this manner may struggle to become the future leaders and innovators their nation needs.
In contrast, children in many advanced countries, such as the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and China, are often raised with a strong emphasis on self-reliance and independence. For example, in the United States, children are encouraged from a young age to participate in household chores, manage their personal hygiene and even engage in part-time work during their teenage years. European countries often promote early childhood education systems that emphasize social skills, responsibility and independence. In Canada and Australia, children are typically involved in extracurricular activities that foster teamwork, leadership and self-discipline. Similarly, China has been increasingly focusing on educational reforms that encourage creativity, problem-solving and independent thinking from an early age.
To cultivate self-reliance, Pakistani parents should gradually introduce their children to responsibilities appropriate for their age. This involves assigning chores, encouraging participation in household tasks, teaching self-care and involving children in meal preparation. Fathers and siblings should also play an active role in promoting independence, showing children that every family member shares household responsibilities and mentoring younger siblings. Wives should avoid falling into the trap of servitude, which can further perpetuate dependency. Viewing the marital relationship as a partnership where both parties contribute equally to household chores and responsibilities fosters mutual respect and cooperation.
The cultural norm of over-servicing needs to shift towards fostering independence and mutual support, engaging in community programs that promote self-sufficiency and life skills for children and adults, and advocating for a cultural shift where independence and responsibility are valued and celebrated.
In conclusion, to build a strong, capable, and responsible future generation, it is crucial for Pakistani parents and families to encourage self-reliance and shared responsibilities from an early age. By instilling these values, children will grow into independent, responsible adults capable of contributing meaningfully to society. In the words of Professor Stewart, “Decide for yourself: if a child cannot even get up to fetch a glass of water, how will he take on the responsibility of the nation tomorrow?” Let us work together to raise children who are ready to take on the challenges of the future with confidence and independence. Parents must recognize that over-pampering, especially into the university years, will not equip their children with the skills and mindset needed to succeed. Independence fosters creativity, goal-setting, and a strong work ethic—qualities essential for personal success and national development. Children who learn to manage their own lives will grow into adults capable of leading their nation towards a prosperous future. It is high time that parents change their approach towards their children to create a real impact on society. We must start training and educating our children from the day they go to nursery and onward, ensuring they grow up to be independent, responsible and capable individuals. Stop blaming teachers and institutions, as the mindset shaped by parents can hardly be reversed. The future of our nation depends on the actions we take today.
A few days back when Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi came to Pakistan, he was warmly welcomed by the Pakistani leadership and nation. That time he was given a historic reception in different cities of Pakistan.
Yesterday on the sudden death of Ibrahim Raisi, along with the Iranian nation the people of Pakistan are equally involved in this grief. This has been demonstrated by the Pakistani leadership. On the martyrdom of the Ibrahim Raisi, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, high officials have expressed their condolences to the Iranian nation.
According to the Iranian media the president of Iran, Ibrahim Raisi and the foreign minister were also killed in the helicopter crash. The spokesperson of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the governor of East Azerbaijan were also on board the helicopter, according to the Iranian news agency Tehran Times.
It is to be noted that the helicopter accident happened 100 km away from Tabriz. According to news Agency, Ayatollah Ali Hashim, the spokesperson of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and Malik Rahmati, the governor of East Azerbaijan were also in this helicopter.
Before that the head of Irani Hilal Ahmar said that after the crash of President Raisi’s helicopter, there was no sign of the surviving passengers. According to Iranian media, the wreckage of president Raisi helicopter was found at the crash site. Earlier, the Iranian official said that after the helicopter crash, the expectations of President Ibrahim Raisi’s survival and survival are low. The helicopter of Iranian President Raisi was completely burnt.
It should be remembered that the Iranian nation has known Ebrahim Raisi as a judge and writer for four decades but he appeared on the international horizon for the first time in the 2017 general elections when he contested the first presidential election against Hassan Rouhani.
At that time he could not win the election but he won the hearts of the people that is the reason why the people chose him as the president of Iran for the next term in 2021.
It should be remembered that he said during a speech at the United Nations that “the Holy Quran will remain safe as long as the universe is existing, no one can erase Quran for which the Muslim Ummah paid tribute to him and is paying tribute today.
Moreover, his actions in support of the innocent Palestinians will always be remembered. Ibrahim Raisi was a tall personality and his services for peace and development in the region are admirable.
This is the reason why when US, forces were withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2021, Ibrahim Raisi was considered to be a supporter of regional sovereignty in foreign policy. That he said no terrorist group will be allowed to gain a foothold.
It should be remembered that during his time, he took far-reaching measures to promote peace and business in the region, the effects of which will be felt for a long time.
He also played an important role in eradicating the historical standoff between Iran and Saudi Arabia. This is the reason why these days these countries are now seen side by side. The Iranian nation is in mourning for the loss of such a distinguished leader and the whole world mourns over him, while Iran’s brother Islamic republic of Pakistan has also declared mourning and its flag was down on Monday for one day on the special order of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. On the other hand, Iran is receiving condolence messages from the whole world, which proves that Ibrahim Raisi was not only the president of Iran but the whole Islamic world recognized him as their leader, especially when Israel attacked Palestine. His government not only defended the oppressed Palestinians, but also attacked Israel and gnashed its teeth.
Certainly, this is an irreparable loss for the Muslim Ummah and the space created by the martyrdom of Ibrahim Raisi will never be filled.
By Arsalan Khalid
The author is an Officer in Pakistan Armed Forces and doing MS Islamic Banking and Finance from IBA Karachi
As Pakistan undertakes comprehensive reforms to align with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines, Islamic religious schools, known as madaris, face significant challenges. These institutions are integral to Pakistan’s education system and serve as a crucial social safety net for the disenfranchised population.
With approximately three million students enrolled in an estimated 35,000 madaris, the stakes are high. Without substantial support for capacity building and regulatory familiarization, compliance with FATF standards remains an uphill battle, carrying severe consequences for these institutions and their beneficiaries.
Madaris face stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, necessitating extensive documentation to verify their identity, funding sources, and operational legitimacy. This is particularly challenging for institutions lacking formal documentation or administrative capacity.
Regular audits and detailed compliance checks can overwhelm madaris, causing operational disruptions and significantly increasing administrative burdens.Many madaris experience rejection when attempting to open bank accounts due to the perceived high risk associated with their activities. Banks, wary of penalties for non-compliance with FATF regulations, are often reluctant to engage with these institutions.
Continuous monitoring of transactions can lead to delays or account closures, severely impacting the day-to-day operations of madaris. The costs associated with compliance, such as hiring financial experts and maintaining detailed records, can be prohibitive. Additionally, many madaris lack the financial literacy necessary to navigate complex banking regulations, leading to unintentional non-compliance and further exclusion.
Establishing trusts presents its own set of formidable challenges.
Navigating the complex legal process, including drafting a trust deed, defining trustees, and specifying objectives, can be daunting without legal expertise. Trusts must comply with numerous regulatory requirements, including regular financial reporting and audits. Non-compliance can lead to penalties or dissolution.
Managing a trust requires significant administrative resources, which many madaris lack, potentially leading to non-compliance.Ensuring transparency regarding beneficiaries can be challenging, especially if they include a wide and dispersed community.
The stringent compliance requirements may drive madaris towards informal financial channels such as Hawala/Hundi or cryptocurrencies, undermining the FATF’s goals of transparency and financial integrity. Informal systems make it difficult for authorities to monitor and regulate financial flows, increasing the risk of money laundering and terrorism financing.
To balance strict compliance with FATF guidelines and the need for financial inclusion, a holistic approach is imperative.
Developing simplified KYC and AML procedures tailored for non-profits and religious institutions can significantly reduce the administrative burden on madaris.
Implementing standardized reporting templates and processes can streamline compliance, making it more manageable and efficient.
Banks can offer customized products and services for madaris, such as simplified account opening procedures, lower fees, and dedicated customer support. Providing financial incentives, such as tax benefits or grants, can encourage madaris to use formal banking channels and comply with regulatory requirements.
Engaging with local communities and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of financial compliance and the risks associated with informal systems is crucial.
Financial institutions can provide training programs for madaris’ administrators on financial management, compliance requirements, and effective use of banking services.Regulatory policies should strike a balance between FATF compliance and the need for financial inclusion, ensuring that madaris can operate within the formal financial system without undue hardship.
The government and institutions should support madaris through financing to adopt digital financial solutions and technologies that can help them manage their finances more effectively and comply with regulatory requirements.
Developing and implementing e-governance tools can simplify compliance reporting and facilitate smoother interactions between madaris and regulatory authorities.
By implementing these solutions, Pakistan can help madaris achieve greater financial inclusion and compliance, enhancing the integrity and stability of the financial system while meeting FATF guidelines. Balancing the need for strict compliance with practical measures to include madaris in the formal financial system is crucial for achieving long-term financial stability and integrity.