Ambreen Umar
Nepal is celebrating the year 2020 as The Year of Tourism with the theme ” Nepal: Lifetime Experience -2020. More than 2 Million tourists are being expected to Nepal this year that will be a record. Pakistani tourists have been offered visa on entry point. Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Ms Sewa Lamsal Adhikari in collaboration of Serena Hotels Islamabad hosted a magnificent ceremony in this regard on 07 Jan 2019 in which a large number of representatives from different segments of society participated in the event. Chief Executive Serena Hotels Mr. Aziz Boolani and General Manager Michel Andre Galopin were also present. Federal Secretary National Heritage Division Dr Nadeem Shafeeq Malik represented government of Pakistan while Senator Sitara Ayaz was present from Parliamentarians side. Chief Executive Murree Brewery Mr Asfanyar Bhandara, President Islamabad Stock Exchange Zahid Lateef Khan, Chief Executive Monal Luqman Ali Afzal were also among the guests.
A documentary was also screened in which diversities of Nepalese culture, landscape, ethnicity, tourist sites, heritage and other attractions were displayed to the interest and information of the participants. Literature about tourism opportunities in Nepal was also distributed at this occasion.
Ambassador Sewa Lamsal, in her keynote address, said to the applause of the audience that Nepal will issue visa to Pakistani visitors on arrival. She said that both countries have a lot to share in tourism sector. She welcomed the promotion of tourism policy of the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She said that Nepal is land of breathtaking beauty coupled with diverse natural and cultural heritage.Nepal is a tourist friendly country and it attaches great importance to tourism.
She said that Nepal govt is celebrating Visit Nepal Year 2020 as a national campaign with a theme Nepal: Lifetime Experience and has set a target to host over two million tourists from all over the world in the year 2020.Nepal is a multi cultural multi religious and multi lingual country which houses over 120 ethnic groups, 125 different languages and major religions in the world. It is a hub of spiritual affinity to millions of people for heir homage and pilgrimage, meditation and yoga as well as enlightenment and purity, a blend of Gynabhumi Shantibhumi and Kannabhumi, a land of peace and a land of actions.
“Nepal is the fountain of peace, the birth place of Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism who kindled the light of knowledge, wisdom and peace in the garden of Lumbini and spread the message of peace and shared prosperity all over the world”. She continued.
Ambassador said Nepal treasures 10 famous world heritage sites recognized by the UNESCO including the Pashupatinath Temple, Swaymbhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Sqaure, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapr Durbar, Changu Narayan Temple, Lumbini, Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park.
“Nepal and Pakistan enjoy cordial bilateral relations. Our bilateral relations are based on sovereign equality, goodwill, mutual respect and deep understanding.These relations of mutual cooperation and friendship have been continuously nurtured by the mighty Himalayas, flourished by the Gandhara civilization and cherished by our people.”
“The connection of Mount Everest and K2 along with Lumbini and Taxila are the living testimonies and building blocks of our relations. The ongoing 60 year of our bilateral relations speak louder than words in the comity of nations. On this double blessed occasion, I invite the business fraternity of Pakistan to explore investment opportunities between the two countries”.
The ambassador said there exists tremendous potential for joint ventures in tourism. Nepal’s tourism remains one of the lucrative areas where investors can consider their investments without any doubt in adventure tourism, sports tourism and infrastructure and service industry among others.
Dr Nadim Shafiq Malik appreciated the spirit of Nepal for enhancing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is keen to increase the present level of cooperation in tourism sector. He congratulated the Ambassador on hosting the event and assured her support at every level in her endeavors to strengthen the bilateral relations.
