Tourism in Pakistan

Tourism in Pakistan is a growing industry.^[1] In 2010, Lonely Planet termed Pakistan "tourism's 'next big thing'". The country is geographically and ethnically diverse, and has a number of historical and cultural heritage sites. Condé Nast Traveller ranked Pakistan The Best Holiday Destination for 2020^[2] and also declared it the third-highest potential adventure destination in the world for 2020.^[2] As security in the country improves, tourism increases; in two years, it has increased by more than 300%.^[3]

In 2018, the British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan the world's top adventure travel destination, describing the country as "one of the friendliest countries on earth, with mountain scenery that is beyond anyone's wildest imagination".^[4] Forbes ranked Pakistan as one of the ‘coolest places’ to visit in 2019.^[5] The World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report placed Pakistan in the top 25 percent of global destinations for its World Heritage Sites, which range from the mangroves in the Indus delta to the Indus Valley civilization sites including Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.^[6]

According to the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan's GDP in 2015 was US$328.3 million, constituting 2.8% of the total GDP.^[7] According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan's GDP in 2016 was Rs. 793 billion (equivalent to Rs. 4.0 trillion or US$14 billion in 2021), constituting 2.7% of the total GDP.^[8] By 2025, the government predicts tourism will contribute Rs. 1 trillion (US$3.5 billion) to the Pakistani economy.^[9]

In October 2006, one year after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, The Guardian released a list of "the top five tourist sites in Pakistan" to help the country's tourism industry.^[10] The sites included Lahore, the Karakoram Highway, Karimabad and Lake Saiful Muluk. To promote the country's cultural heritage, in 2007, Pakistan launched the "Visit Pakistan" marketing campaign that involved events including fairs, religious festivals, regional sporting events, arts and craft shows, folk festivals and openings of historical museums.^[11]

In 2013, over half a million tourists visited Pakistan, contributing $298 million; these figures have since risen to over 6.6 million tourists in 2018.^[12] By comparison, Pakistan's domestic tourism industry is estimated at 50 million tourists who travel in the country on short trips usually between May and August.^[13] The largest inflow of tourists are from the United Kingdom, followed by the United States, India and China.^[14]^[15]

Overview

Major tourist attractions in Pakistan include the ruin of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, the Himalayan hill stations.^[16] Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7,000 metres (23,000 feet), including K2, which draw adventurers and mountaineers from around the world.^[17] The north of Pakistan has many old fortresses, ancient architecture and the Hunza and Chitral valleys, which are home to small Kalash communities and Fairy Meadows, and the Diamer District of Gilgit Baltistan. Punjab province has the historic city of Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital, with many examples of Mughal architecture such as Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and Lahore Fort.^{[citation needed]}

In the 1960s Pakistan was part of the "hippie trail" stretching from Europe to Asia. That tourism disappeared in the 1970s with the conversion from a liberal government to an Islamized Pakistan under dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Due to subsequent Taliban and al-Qaeda influence, especially after the September 11 attacks, westerners became the target of local branches of those terror organizations. Domestic tourism also slowed as a result of terrorism and anti-terror military operations which had taken the lives of more than 65,000 in Pakistan between 2001 and 2018.^[18]

Tourist visas

In 2019, Pakistan increased the availability of travel visas in a bid to increase tourism to the country. The new program grants visas on arrival to travelers from 50 countries, including the United States. Citizens of another 175 countries can apply for visas on the internet. Previously, visas could only be obtained from Pakistani embassies abroad.^[19]

Tourism by province and territory

Pakistan is subdivided into provinces Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh; the federal territory Islamabad Capital Territory; and autonomous regions Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.^[20]

Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan includes some of the highest peaks in the world, including K2, the world's second-highest peak. Gilgit Baltistan's landscape includes mountains, lakes, glaciers and valleys. The province is also visited for its landmarks, culture, history and people.^[21] K2 Basecamp, Deosai, Naltar, Fairy Meadows Bagrot Valley and Hushe valley are common tourist destinations in the province.^[22]

Balochistan

Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area, constituting approximately 43% of the country. Balochistan is home to one of the oldest Neolithic (7000 BC to c. 2500 BC) sites in archaeology. Mehrgarh and Nausharo was an ancient city that is linked to the Indus Valley civilization. Ancient sites dating back 800 years are the Nausherwani tombs at Qila Ladgasht. There was an ancient port at the site of Oraea that was used during the Hellenistic civilisation.^[23]

Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan. Sites of interest include the protected Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park, Hanna Lake, Quetta Geological Museum, Balochistan Arts Council Library, Quetta Archaeological Museum and Command and Staff College Museum. The Quaid-e-Azam Residency is in the city of Ziarat "famous for having the world's largest and oldest juniper forests". Sibi is an important historical city in which the Jirga Hall has a collection of pieces that were found at the archaeological sites of Mehrgarh, Nasshero and Pirak. The annual Sibi Festival includes a horse and cattle show.

The province includes several mountain passes. The Bolan Pass was the main entrance to the provincial city of Quetta; others include Lak Pass, Khojak Pass and Harnai Pass. The Balochistan coastline extends from the boundary of Sindh province to the Iranian border, measuring over 750 km (470 miles). The city of Gwadar has the largest port in the province and is based near the ancient area of Makran. Pasni is a medium-sized town that is known for fishing. Along the Makran Coastal Highway, there are several rock formations, as well as Kund Malir and the Hingol National Park.

Sindh

Sindh is located in south-eastern Pakistan. The province is known for its religious heritage and rapid urbanisation and was home to the ancient Indus Valley civilisation. Mohenjo-daro near the city of Larkana was one of the largest city-settlements in South Asia and is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chaukhandi tombs are another example of ancient Sindhi and Balochi heritage located near the town of Landi. Another ancient city Aror is located near the city of Sukkur. Kahu-Jo-Darro is an ancient Buddhist archaeological site near Mirpurkhas where a Buddhist stupa was excavated.

The first arrival of Islam in South Asia took place in Karachi. A number of sites within the province have led archaeologists to suggest this. Makli Hill is one of the largest necropolises in the world and is home to a number of ancient tombs and graves of Islamic dynasties. The Talpur Mirs of Hyderabad also left a number of sites including, Tombs of Talpur Mirs, Faiz Mahal in Khairpur, Qasim Fort, Pacco Qillo and the Kot Diji Fort in Kot Diji; and the Ranikot Fort was built during the Islam invasion. Sindh has a number of cultural shrines and mausoleums including Thatta, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Lal Shahbaz Qalander, Shahjahan Mosque, Mazar-e-Quaid, Minar-e-Mir Masum Shah, Bhambore and Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

Karachi is the provincial capital of the province and largest city of Pakistan. It is home to the founder of the nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah, whose tomb at Mazar-e-Quaid is the most iconic mausoleum in Pakistan. The Port of Karachi is the country's largest post followed by the second largest, Port Qasim. The city has a number of cultural sites including Mohatta Palace, National Museum of Pakistan, Empress Market, Frere Hall, Jehangir Kothari Parade, Karachi Municipal Corporation Building and the Hindu Gymkhana. There are several beaches within the city, some of the most famous are Clifton Beach, French Beach, Sandspit Beach and Manora Island.

The province forms the basin of the Indus River and has a number of lakes, including Keenjhar Lake, Manchar Lake and Bakri Waro Lake. Kirthar National Park is a protected reserve for several wildlife species. The Thar Desert is also located in the province which adjoins Punjab and India. The Great Rann of Kutch is a protected wetland site in the province, which has two wildlife sanctuaries; the Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sukkur Barrage was built to alleviate famines caused by lack of rain.

Port Grand Food and Entertainment Complex is a recreational area in the centre of Karachi that was built along the waterfront of the 19th-century Native Jetty Bridge. The complex is expected to attract up to 5,000 visitors a day and is a major hub of shopping, dining, cultural and coastal recreational activities. Port Grand is located on Napier Mole Bridge, which is historically significant to the city, and the 19th-century Native Jetty Bridge.^[24]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is located in the north-west region of Pakistan and is popular with adventurers and explorers. The province has a varied landscape ranging from rugged mountains, valleys, hills and farms. There are a number of Buddhist archaeological sites from the Gandhara civilisation such as Takht Bhai and Pushkalavati, and other Buddhist and Hindu archaeological sites including Bala Hisar Fort, Butkara Stupa, Kanishka stupa, Chakdara, Panjkora Valley and Sehri Bahlol.

The province's capital city is Peshawar, which is home to a number of sites including Bala Hisar Fort, Peshawar Museum, archaeological site of Gor Khuttree, Mohabbat Khan Mosque, old city of Sethi Mohallah, Jamrud Fort, the Sphola Stupa and the market at Qissa Khwani Bazaar. The city Dera Ismail Khan is known as the entrance into the province from Punjab and Balochistan, and for its Hindu ruins at Kafir Kot. Mardan city has Buddhist ruins at Shahbaz Garhi. In the north of the province is the Swat valley One of the most important cities in the province is Mansehra, which is a major stop for tourists setting out to the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. The city is connected by the Karakoram Highway, which ends in China. Along the route, there are several stops including the Kaghan Valley, Balakot, Naran, Shogran, Lake Saiful Mulook and Babusar Top. There are also several other sites that attract a large number of tourists every year including Ayubia, Batkhela, Chakdara, Saidu Sharif, Kalam Valley and Hindu Kush mountain range in Chitral.^[25]

Several mountain passes run through the province. One of the most famous is the Khyber Pass, which links Afghanistan with Pakistan. The trade route sees a large number of trucks and lorries transporting goods in and out of the region. The Babusar Pass connects Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakorum Highway. The Lowari Pass connects Chitral with Dir via the Lowari Tunnel. The highest mountain pass in Pakistan is the Shandur Pass, which connects Chitral to Gilgit and is known as the "Roof of the World". The pass is the centre of the Hindukush, Pamir and Karakoram ranges.

Punjab

Punjab is the second-largest province in Pakistan. It is known for its ancient cultural heritage and its religious diversity. The Indus Valley civilisation once ruled the region and a significant archaeological find was discovered at the ancient city of Harrapa. The Gandhara civilisation was also dominant at the site of Taxila in the north of Punjab. Several other civilisations such as Greeks, Central Asians and Persians ruled Punjab, leaving a number of sites that still exist today. Islam arrived in the region during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate followed by the Ghaznavids. The Mughals took control of the region and ruled its land for several centuries. The Mughal heritage remained strong in Punjab with a large number of forts, tombs and monuments sintact today. The Durrani Empire ruled Punjab after the fall of the Mughal Empire for a short period following the rise of the Sikh Empire. The strong control of the Sikhs also left a number of sites that have remained intact throughout Punjab. The British Raj took control of the region until the independence.

Tourism in Punjab is regulated by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab.^[26] The province has a number of large cosmopolitan cities, including the provincial capital Lahore. Major visitor attractions there include Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, which are now recognised World Heritage Sites. The Walled City of Lahore, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Tomb of Jahangir and Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asaf Khan, Chauburji and other major sites are visited by tourists each year.

Rawalpindi is a famous hill station stop for tourists.^[27] The Pharwala Fort, which was built by an ancient Hindu civilisation, is on the outskirts of the city. The city of Sheikhupura also has a number of sites from the Mughal Empire, including the World Heritage-listed Rohtas Fort near Jhelum. The Katasraj temple in the city of Chakwal is a major destination for Hindu devotees. The Khewra Salt Mines is one of the oldest mines in South Asia. Faisalabad's clock tower and eight bazaars were designed to represent the Union Jack.^[28]

The province's southward is arid. Multan is known for its mausoleums of saints and Sufi pirs. The Multan Museum and Nuagaza tombs are significant attractions in the city. The city of Bahawalpur is located near the Cholistan and Thar deserts. Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert is the site for the annual Cholistan Jeep Rally. The city is also near the ancient site of Uch Sharif which was once a Delhi Sultanate stronghold. The Noor Mahal, Sadiq Ghar Palace and Darbar Mall were built during the reign of the Nawabs. The Lal Suhanra National Park is a major zoological garden on the outskirts of the city.

Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir is situated in the northern part of the country. The northern part of Azad Kashmir encompasses the lower part of the Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak 4,734 metres (15,531 ft). Sarwali Peak in the Neelum Valley is the highest peak in the province. Ganga Choti is a peak in Bagh.^[29] The province is fertile, green and mountainous.^[30]

Islamabad Capital Territory

Islamabad, Pakistan's capital city, is located on the Pothohar Plateau in the north-eastern part of the country between Rawalpindi District and the Margalla Hills National Park to the north. The region has historically been a part of the crossroads of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the Margalla Pass acting as the gateway between the two regions. Faisal Mosque (the largest mosque in South Asia, Margalla Hills National Park, Daman-i-Koh, Pakistan Monument, Rawal Lake, Simli Lake and Fatima Jinnah Park are among the tourist attractions in the territory.^[31]^[32] It is ranked as the second most-beautiful capital city in the world.^[33]

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The table lists information about each World Heritage Site in Pakistan.

Name: As listed by the World Heritage Committee

Region: One of the 8 administrative units of Pakistan

Period: Time period of significance, typically of construction

UNESCO data: The site's reference number; the year the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List; the criteria it was listed under: criteria (i) through (vi) are cultural, while (vii) through (x) are natural; meeting both criteria are categorized as "mixed sites"

Description: Brief description of the site.

Name	Region	Period	UNESCO data	Description	Ref(s)
Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro	Sindh, Pakistan 27°19′45″N 68°8′20″E / 27.32917°N 68.13889°E / 27.32917; 68.13889	26th century BC to 19th century BC	138; 1980; ii, iii	Moenjodaro is an archaeological site located on the right bank of the Indus River in Larkana District of Sindh. Dating back to the beginning of third millennium BC, the 5000-year-old city was one of the largest and earliest urbanized settlements in South Asia. The ruins were first discovered in 1922 and major excavations were carried out in the 1930s, however after 1965 further excavations were banned due to weathering and disintegration. Only one-third of the site has been revealed so far and site conservation works have been on-going since then.	^[34]
Taxila	near modern Taxila, in Punjab, Pakistan 33°46′45″N 72°53′15″E / 33.77917°N 72.88750°E / 33.77917; 72.88750 (Taxila)	5th century BC to second century AD	139; 1980; iii, vi	Taxila is an archaeological site located in the Rawalpindi District, 30 km northwest of Islamabad. The city dates back to the Gandhara period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takṣaśilā which was an important Hindu and Buddhist centre, and is still considered a place of religious and historical sanctity in those traditions.	^[35]
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 34°19′15″N 71°56′45″E / 34.32083°N 71.94583°E / 34.32083; 71.94583	1st century	140; 1980; iv	Takht-i-Bahi, meaning spring throne, is a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the first century BC located on top of a 152 m high hill. The ruins are located about 16 km from Mardan and 80 km from Peshawar. Sahr-i-Bahlol is a small fortified city, dating from the same era, located near Takht-i-Bahi. The historical complex is a complete Buddhist monastery consisting of four main groups; the Court of Stupas, a monastic complex, a temple complex, and a tantric monastic complex.	^[36]
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore	Punjab, Pakistan 31°35′25″N 74°18′35″E / 31.59028°N 74.30972°E / 31.59028; 74.30972	1556	171; 1981; i, ii, iii	The Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore are two distinct royal complexes from the Mughal era. The Fort is located at the northwest corner of the Walled City of Lahore and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times during its history. The Shalamar Gardens are example of Mughal Gardens which were constructed by the emperor Shah Jahan in 1642. The gardens are influenced by Persian and Islamic traditions and cover 16 hectares of land area.	^[37]
Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta	Sindh, Pakistan 24°46′0″N 67°54′0″E / 24.76667°N 67.90000°E / 24.76667; 67.90000	14th century to 18th century	143; 1981; iii	Makli is a necropolis in the archaeological city of Thatta dating back to the 14th century. The monuments and mausoleums in Makli are built from high quality stone, brick, and glazed tiles representing the civilization of Sindh of the time. Tombs of famous saints and rulers including Jam Nizamuddin II are still preserved and are evidence of Hindu, Mughal, and Islamic architecture.	^[38]
Rohtas Fort	Punjab, Pakistan 32°57′45″N 73°35′20″E / 32.96250°N 73.58889°E / 32.96250; 73.58889 (Rohtas Fort)	1541	586; 1997; ii, iv	Rohtas Fort is a garrison fort built by Sher Shah Suri, located about 16 km from Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan. The fort is an exceptional example of Islamic military architecture, integrating artistic traditions from Turkey and the Indian subcontinent. It was built at a strategic location on a small hill alongside Kahan River to control the Ghakkars. Its name is derived from Rohtasgarh, the site of Sher Shah's victory in 1539 over a Hindu ruler.	^[39]

Tentative list

In 2004, the Ministry of Tourism pushed forward for new sites in Pakistan to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In total, 26 sites are awaiting to be categorised as of 2016 which include:^[40]^[41]

Badshahi Mosque, Lahore – mosque built in 1673 during Mugal Empire
Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta – mosque built in 1647 by Shah Jahan
Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore – mosque built in 1635 by Shah Jahan
Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai Gateway in Lahore – mausoleum built in 1637
Tomb of Bibi Jawindi, Baha'al-Halim and Ustead, Mosque of Jalaluddin Bukhari, Uch Sharif – five monuments of historical figures
Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan – tomb for Sufi Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Chaukhandi Tombs, Karachi – tombs built during Mughal Empire
Central Karakoram National Park – largest protected area in northern Pakistan
Deosai National Park – a high-altitude alpine plain and a national park in Gilgit-Baltistan
Hingol National Park – a national park in Balochistan
Hiran Minar and Tank, Sheikhupura – built by Mughal Emperor, Jahangir in 1606
Mehrgarh – one of the oldest Neolithic ruins and archaeological sites in Balochistan
Rehman Dheri, Dera Ismail Khan – historical ruins of Indus Valley civilization
Harappa, Punjab – historical ruins of the Bronze Age
Katas Raj Temples – temples near Chakwal which are attributed to Hindu Shahis Eras dating from about 615–950 CE
Nagarparkar Cultural Landscape – an important center of Jain religion and culture in Sindh
Mansehra Rock Edicts, Mansehra – earliest writings of the third century BC
Ranigat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – archaeological remains of a Buddhist monastic complex
Shahbazgarhi Rock Edicts, Mardan – inscriptions of the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka
Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley – Tibetan-style fort built in the 13th century
Derawar Fort and the forts of Cholistan Desert – located in Punjab
Ranikot Fort, Jamshoro District – one of the largest forts in the world
Port of Banbhore – archaeological site of historical port city on the Indus River
The Salt Range and Khewra Salt Mine – the second largest and oldest salt mine in the world
Karez System – in Balochistan
Ziarat Juniper Forest – a juniper forest in Ziarat, Balochistan
Bhamala Stupa - the archaeological site of a historical point on the Haro River

Other landmarks

Other landmarks and structures have not yet made the UNESCO Tentative List. Long before the creation of Pakistan after its partition from India in 1947, there existed diverse cultures and religions in the undivided India. India was the centre of various wars that led to several dynasties and tribes ruling its lands. They left behind landmarks, some of which have become national icons in Pakistan now whilst others need the attention of concerned authorities. Some of these include:

Altit Fort in Hunza Valley
Bagrot Valley
Bala Hissar Fort in Peshawar
Chaqchan Mosque in Khaplu
Frere Hall in Karachi
Khaplu Palace in Khaplu
Mahabat Khan Mosque-A Mughal Era mosque in Peshawar
Faisalabad Clock Tower and the Eight Bazaars
17th- and 18th-century Tombs of Talpur Mirs
Faiz Mahal of the Talpur Mirs
Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
Mughal built the tomb of Asaf Khan at Shahdara Bagh
Empress Market built during the rule of the British Empire
The tomb of Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi and founder of the slave dynasty
Mohatta Palace, built in 1927
18th-century Omar Hayat Mahal
19th-century Italian chateau Noor Palace
The 3000 BC fort of Kot Diji and Faiz Mahal in Khairpur
16th-century fort at Skardu
Nagar Fort at Chitral
Golra Sharif Railway Museum, Islamabad

Post-independence Pakistan retained its heritage by constructing sites to commemorate its independence by blending styles and influences from the past. Some of these include:

Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore
Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore
Faisal Mosque in Islamabad
The mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Bab-e-Pakistan a memorial site for the victims of the independence
Pakistan Monument in Islamabad
The mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal
Gorakh Hill, Dadu – situated on one of the highest plateaus of Sindh

Tourism under Prime Minister Imran Khan

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan planned to boost tourism to create millions of jobs.^[42] In his first television address to the nation, he said; "Pakistan has huge tourism potential. We will promote tourism to strengthen the economy".^[42] The tourism industry in Pakistan has witnessed a boom as law and order has improved across the country in the last five years. The country of 235 million is known for its hospitality globally. He decided to end mandatory No Objection Certificates for foreign tourists seeking to visit certain parts of the country to boost tourism.^[43]

Military operations launched by Pakistan armed forces during 2013–2017 against militants wiped out terrorism and militancy across the country, especially in northern areas, paving the way for the revival of tourism. The Government of Pakistan has also eased the country's visa policy, which has played a key role in attracting a large number of foreign tourists.^[42] "We are improving processes to issue tourist visas, in particular for groups and champion initiatives, which strengthen our visa on arrival program and eliminate NoC condition for high potential tourist destinations besides providing four-star accommodation at affordable cost", said Fawad Chaudhry, a minister in government.^[42] He also said; "peace had been restored and the local and foreign tourists were coming in large numbers to visit the scenic places and heritage sites".^[44]

The Imran Khan government organised the Pakistan Tourism Summit, which occurred on 2 and 3 April 2019 at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, and was attended by Prime Minister Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Shehryar Afridi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, and some well-known international bloggers, who spoke about their experiences during the panel discussion and answered questions from the participants.^[45] Due to these measures, 1.9 million tourists visited Pakistan in 2018 and as of 2020, tourism in the country has increased by more than 300%.^[3]

List of tourist regions and sites

In October 2006, The Guardian released what it described as "The top five tourist sites in Pakistan".^[46] Pakistan was ranked 47 out of 200 countries in an analysis of the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) growth figures by Lovehomeswap.com,^[47] which said, "If the country becomes more peaceful, visitor numbers are predicted to rise".^[48]^[49]

Rank	Location
1	Lahore
2	Taxila
3	The Karakoram Highway
4	Karimabad
5	Kumrat Valley
6	Hazara

Ski resorts and areas

Valleys

Lakes

Waterfalls

National Parks

Data

Arrivals by year

1990s

	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Tourist visitors^[50]	-	-	-	-	383,000	378,000	369,000	375,000	429,000	432,000

2000s

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Tourist visitors	557,000	500,000	498,000	501,000	648,000	798,000	898,000	840,000	823,000	855,000

2010s

	2010	2011	2012	2013^[51]	2014^[51]	2015^[52]	2016^[51]	2017^[53]^[54]	2018^[55]
Tourist visitors	907,000	1,161,000	966,000	565,212	530,000	563,400	965,498	1,750,000	1,900,035

Country	2021	2020	2019
Afghanistan	719,387	748,493	2,138,784
United Kingdom	149,986	244,612	484,744
United States	108,744	106,847	211,338
Iran	44,270	37,693	62,686
Canada	34,315	48,232	98,159
China	25,655	33,820	108,608
Philippines	20,749	27,382	29,176
Germany	14,366	15,096	33,087
India	13,243	45,176	75,315
Italy	10,955	10,116	20,565
Spain	8,732	9,016	14,365
France	8,424	8,489	17,808
Norway	7,005	8,268	21,188
Ukraine	6,216	6,992	6,003
Bahrain	6,182	5,303	11,780
Netherlands	5,964	6,416	13,231
Turkey	5,899	7,005	10,680
Belgium	5,134	4,094	8,867
Denmark	4,028	3,661	9,291
Sweden	3,539	3,380	7,376
Ireland	3,337	4,425	9,849
Russia	2,892	2,973	4,242
Australia	2,857	9,949	33,504
Myanmar	2,851	3,754	3,906
South Africa	2,468	3,854	8,774
Saudi Arabia	2,449	2,847	8,840
South Korea	2,257	2,998	7,770
Oman	2,281	3,362	8,723
Sri Lanka	2,069	2,844	5,471
Indonesia	1,967	2,396	4,669
Macau	1,633	1,411	3,696
Thailand	1,609	1,192	4,880
Portugal	1,479	1,873	3,194
Bangladesh	1,387	2,188	3,796
Switzerland	1,363	1,427	3,383
Poland	1,323	1,371	2,501
Austria	1,321	1,238	2,962
Japan	1,298	2,291	10,047
Egypt	1,222	1,283	2,910
Romania	1,153	1,607	1,900
United Arab Emirates	1,043	2,121	3,650
Greece	966	1,158	1,612
Syria	802	681	606
Nigeria	801	572	1,179
Mozambique	621	669	1,438
Kenya	580	667	1,705
Finland	571	582	1,190
Vietnam	550	781	1,113
Jordan	535	715	2,319
Malaysia	495	2,232	8,679
Nepal	480	661	1,585
Tanzania	453	552	980
Qatar	381	469	1,347
New Zealand	363	1,039	3,116
Iraq	336	371	778
Morocco	302	452	900
Kazakhstan	301	285	566
Singapore	286	730	3,584
Bulgaria	280	515	793
Yemen	271	268	752
Hungary	258	267	686
Azerbaijan	249	233	522
Czech Republic	247	229	678
Ethiopia	234	281	474
Sudan	207	246	748
Lebanon	188	309	799
Brazil	177	320	666
Mexico	134	140	321
Lithuania	122	228	420
Taiwan	111	358	1,081
Slovakia	93	172	308
Mauritius	86	377	1,023
Cambodia	5	29	181

Visa policy of Pakistan

Visitors to Pakistan typically must obtain a visa from one of the Pakistani diplomatic missions.

Indians are only eligible for business, pilgrim or Visitor Visas to Pakistan. The pilgrim VISA allows Indians to visit 15 sites in Pakistan for religious tourism – they will be given a visitor visa. The Visitor Visa is granted if you have close family members or friends in Pakistan and you can only visit a maximum of 5 cities for 3 months.^[56]

The Pakistani government had launched online visa services for 175 countries^[57] and 50 countries were offered visa on arrival,^[58] making visiting Pakistan easier.

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