Latest news with #TDCP
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Plastic waste tarnishes Patriata's scenic charm
While global efforts to combat environmental pollution intensify, the picturesque tourist destination of Patriata in Murree is experiencing increasing environmental degradation due to the rampant use of plastic shopping bags and general littering. The provincial "Clean Punjab" campaign has gained widespread public support, yet the condition of the Patriata Chairlift and Public Park, managed by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), continues to deteriorate. Tourists and residents alike have voiced disappointment over the unsanitary environment. A citizen, Zahid Khan, said that the TDCP, despite receiving a sizable budget and earning millions in ticket sales, has failed to maintain basic cleanliness standards, causing significant inconvenience for visitors. Another citizen said that the accumulation of garbage and plastic waste has reportedly led to skin and respiratory issues among locals. The TDCP director told The Express Tribune that cleanliness and courteous behaviour are key to the success of any tourist destination.
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Mango festival opens amid climate impact concerns
The Punjab Tourism Department has inaugurated the Mango Festival 2025 in Lahore, showcasing over 50 varieties of the beloved summer fruit. The two-day event at a hotel drew large crowds, including tourists, farmers, agricultural experts, students and professionals from the food and hospitality industry. The festival offered a mix of traditional dance, folk music, handicrafts and a wide array of mango-based dishes, turning the event into a celebration of agriculture, culture and culinary creativity. Provincial Tourism Secretary Fareed Ahmad Tarar and Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Managing Director Dr Nasir Mehmood opened the festival. On the occasion, Tarar described the festival not just as a celebration of mangoes but also as a tribute to the hardworking farmers and the rich agricultural and cultural heritage of the province. Dr Mehmood emphasised that the event would serve as a platform for promoting tourism, hospitality and local industries alongside agriculture. Agricultural expert Rana Asif Hayat Tipu highlighted that five tonnes of export-quality mangoes were made available at farm-gate prices to address public concerns that high-grade fruit is rarely accessible in retail markets. He warned, however, that climate change, intense heat, dust storms and water shortages had severely affected this year's crop, causing an estimated 40 per cent decline in production in some areas. Experts noted that Pakistan typically produces around 1.8 million tonnes of mango annually, with Punjab contributing 70% of the national output, Sindh 29% and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa about 1%. Due to adverse weather conditions, 2025's output is projected to drop to approximately 1.4 million tonnes. Nonetheless, the government has ambitiously raised the export target to 125,000 tonnes for this season, aiming for $100 million in foreign exchange earnings.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
All set for Ravi Jeep Rally at weekend
Around 65 drivers from across the country took part in the Thal Jeep Rally, which was organised by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation. PHOTOS: APP A jeep rally will be organised on May 10 and 11 in the River Ravi area, featuring a 30-kilometre route. The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) will organise the Lahore Ravi Jeep Rally with the support of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA). Chairing a coordination meeting to review the preparations, Divisional Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood directed the Lahore and Sheikhupura administrations to provide full support to the organisers and issue effective traffic management plans to ensure smooth flow and public convenience during the event. He also ordered the preparation of duty rosters for relevant departments. He emphasised that Rescue 1122 must establish emergency response camps along the entire route. Firefighting vehicles and equipment must remain active and readily available. Medical camps, emergency centres and ambulance services should be deployed to provide immediate assistance if required. Security arrangements will be managed jointly by the Lahore, Sheikhupura, motorway and highway police. The commissioner said the jeep rally is a major tourism and motorsport event for the region and called on all departments to collaborate closely to ensure a safe, organised and vibrant experience for the participants and spectators.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Tap into Central Asia for growth'
After evolving business-friendly strategies-cum-policies, Pakistan can promote and foster its rich cultural tourism, while deepening and strengthening bilateral ties with Central Asian states aimed at growing the national economy, economic nationalists said. Undoubtedly, Pakistan, the land of pure multiculturalism, is blessed with rich tourism opportunities which have historic and holistic roots with Central Asia, the jewel of ancient civilization, traditions, and human wisdom. Talking to The Express Tribune, they suggested that both federal and provincial governments of Pakistan, the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), chambers of commerce, industrialists, and all other stakeholders should chalk out a holistic and comprehensive marketing plan for the further strengthening of cultural and tourism cooperation, consisting of promoting wedding ceremonies of obscenely rich people in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kirshi and Fergana Valley, Turkistan, Almaty, Ashkhabad, Bishkek and Dushanbe, providing family values, full of privacy, Halal intimacy, healthy environment, immense safety and security, colourful geographies, natural beauty, comfortable hospitality, and comparatively lesser prices. All the stakeholders should deeply study the Indian city Kerala model of family, corporate, insurance, and medical tourism in Central Asia, promoting its domestic tour and traveling operators' business, which must be replicated in brightening bilateral/trilateral cultural and tourism ties with Central Asian countries. Holding of annual performance awards of various chambers of commerce, films, PTV, private channels' award ceremonies, media's functions, and musical conferences should be arranged on a reciprocal basis. Even religious and ritual tourism would also be promoted. When it comes to the rich economic potential of the Central Asian states, Pakistan can leverage Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan by evolving business-friendly strategies-cum-policies. Many published reports of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) vividly reflect the huge economic potential of the Central Asian countries. All countries have numerous natural resources like oil, gas, rare earth minerals, gold, copper, aluminium, and nuclear deposits instrumental for the rapid growth of South Asia, especially Pakistan, which must be explored and tapped as soon as possible. Uzbekistan, being the most versatile and diversified country in terms of economy, investment, joint ventures, trans-regional connectivity, hybrid agriculture, textiles, garments, manufacturing, and renewables, has the ability and vision for promoting trans-regional connectivity through trade and business activities. Thus, policymakers of Pakistan must further strengthen the scope, utility, and expansion of bilateral trade instead of wasting their time, financial resources, and energies in Afghanistan. A trilateral economic cooperation, trade consortium, banking and finance integration, qualitative manufacturing capacities, green cooperation, peaceful nuclear utilisations, military joint collaboration, production of lithium batteries, digitalisation, e-commerce, reciprocal trade houses, building of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and a joint development bank among Pakistan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan should be promoted and implemented in the days to come. Economic strategist and regional expert Dr Mehmoodul Hassan Khan said as far as the significance of Uzbekistan is concerned, the Republic of Uzbekistan has ancient civilisation, traditions, customs, and splendid human wisdom mesmerising the world for centuries. It remained very famous for its unmatched knowledge, connectivity, productivity, and constructive participation, acting as a connecting hub of cultures, civilisations, commerce, and true compassion on the ancient Silk Road. He said Uzbekistan has the biggest population/human resources, largest cultural sites, shrines, tombs of star clergies, famous warriors, renowned writers, inventors, scholars, and natural, cultural, and tourism wonders having larger-than-life status and momentum, giving it a comparatively superior place in the entire Central Asia. "Thus, further strengthening of bilateral cultural and tourism cooperation with Uzbekistan is indeed connecting ourselves with our own ancient roots," he said. He said Uzbekistan is the Middle Corridor connecting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with South Caucasus, the greater Eurasia region, and Europe, presenting lots of mutually befitting propositions and win-win partnerships. Thus, Pakistan's government should prepare an innovative, integrated, interactive approach. He said it is proposed that the formation of a cultural and tourism bank, a joint travelling and tour operator company, a joint marketing company, digital visa, and maintenance of direct flights in which Pakistani private airline companies must play a positive role arranging direct and connecting flights to Tashkent.
Express Tribune
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Jeep Rally thrills crowd for second day
LAHORE: The 20th International Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally, powered by the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), roared into its second day with intense competition and excitement. Organised by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), the premier motorsport event at Dilwash Stadium attracted top racers from Pakistan and beyond, battling through the challenging desert landscape. The day kicked off with a dynamic flag-off ceremony attended by Chief Operating Officer of CBD Punjab, Brig (retd) Mansoor Janjua, alongside senior officials from CBD Punjab and TDCP. Prominent attendees included Executive Director Legal Barrister Bilal Afzal Khokhar, Director Business Development Ali Waqar Shah, and Director Marketing Waseem Siddiq. Their presence underscored CBD Punjab's commitment to promoting motorsports, tourism, and cultural heritage in Punjab. With 79 vehicles competing in Stock Categories A, B, C and D, the second day witnessed high-speed action and fierce rivalries. CBD Punjab's racing team actively participated in Stock Categories A and B, with drivers Aqeel Ahmed, Hatim Warraich, and Usman Nadeem showcasing their skills. Defending champion Bilal Chaudhary returned to the track, facing strong competition from Muhammad Ullah Marwat, Asif Imam, Saeed Shahwani, and Hatim Warraich in a thrilling battle for supremacy. Adding an international edge, Iranian racers brought global competitiveness to the rally, while the participation of women racers further emphasised motorsports' growing inclusivity in Pakistan. Beyond the main competition, additional events such as truck races, dirt bike challenges, and quad bike contests captivated motorsport enthusiasts, transforming the vast Cholistan Desert into a festival-like atmosphere. In Stock Category A, Khalid secured first place, followed by Masood Hoth in second and Asif Imam in third. In the women's category, Laleen Akhunzada emerged victorious, while Zunaira Mahmood claimed second place. The truck category saw Ahmed Shah Murchakhel take the lead, with Syed Ghazanfar Agha and Sameer Malik securing second and third places, respectively. Speaking at the event, Brig (retd) Mansoor Janjua, COO of CBD Punjab, highlighted the rally's significance beyond motorsports. "The Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally is not just a sporting event; it is a testament to Punjab's resilience, culture, and passion for adventure. Through this collaboration, CBD Punjab and TDCP are elevating tourism and sports in the region, bringing national and international recognition to Southern Punjab," he stated. He further emphasized CBD Punjab's vision, stating, "This rally aligns with our goal of positioning Punjab as a hub for thrilling and inclusive sports events." As the competition intensifies, anticipation builds for the upcoming stages, where racers will push their limits in pursuit of victory.
