New Appointment: Mian Akram Farid Congratulates Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT):  Mian Akram Farid, former Senior Vice Chairman of the All Pakistan Hotels Association and President of the Hotels & Motels Association for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Northern Areas, extended his congratulations to Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan on his appointment as the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Tourism. He lauded Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan’s long-standing commitment to promoting tourism in Pakistan, calling the appointment a “timely and welcome step.”
Mian Akram Farid further stated, “Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan is a passionate advocate for tourism and investment in Pakistan. His leadership, vision, and deep understanding of industry and trade make him an ideal choice for this crucial role. We are confident that his appointment will usher in a new era of growth and development for Pakistan’s tourism sector.” The owner of Pakistan’s first international 7-star hotel and former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan has played a vital role in enhancing Pakistan’s tourism image globally. In his new role as the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Tourism, he is expected to improve coordination between public and private stakeholders for tourism promotion.
Emphasizing the importance of showcasing Pakistan’s tourist destinations, particularly the captivating natural beauty of the Northern Areas, Mian Akram Farid urged Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan to leverage his international business connections and his stature as a prominent figure in the Pakistani business community to attract investment in the tourism sector, both internationally and domestically.
Mian Akram Farid also highlighted several critical issues facing the tourism sector, noting that this appointment comes at a delicate time when Pakistan’s tourism industry is confronting severe challenges. These include natural disasters, issues with road networks in many tourist areas of Pakistan’s Northern Areas, communication problems (especially mobile phone signals), scarcity of electricity and gas, and a lack of adequate quality hotels. He expressed full confidence in Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan’s ability to tackle these challenges and stressed the significance of developing sustainable tourism practices, eco-tourism, and reliable hospitality infrastructure to attract both domestic and international travelers.
“With policy consistency and well-planned direction, Pakistan can emerge as a major tourist destination globally,” he added. “As the Hotels Association, we look forward to collaborating with the Prime Minister’s Office and relevant authorities to develop this vital sector.”
It is worth noting that Pakistan’s tourism industry revenue is estimated to reach $4 billion in 2025 due to record foreign and domestic tourism, up from $3.4 billion in 2024. Additionally, 2,350 international mountaineers visited Pakistan to conquer its highest peaks, bringing in valuable foreign exchange for the national economy. Religious tourism has also seen significant growth in Pakistan over the past few years, with a large number of Sikh, Buddhist, and Hindu pilgrims visiting religious sites for their rituals. Statistics indicate that the religious tourism sector alone is expected to generate $2 billion in revenue.