–Information minister seeks Italy’s assistance in preserving national heritage
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Stefano Pontecorvo, who called on him on Wednesday, stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Italy in the tourism sector.
He said that collaboration in the fields of tourism and culture would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries which were based on mutual goodwill.
“Owing to its cultural diversity and unique national heritage, Pakistan is a preferred destination for tourists of many countries,” he said. The minister invited Italian tourism writers and editors to visit northern parts of Pakistan and see the majestic mountains and their mesmerising beauty.
The Italian ambassador appreciated the gesture and proposed to establish formal contact between the tourism authorities of both countries with a view to devise a strategy to promote sustainable tourism. He apprised the minister that the number of Italian tourists visiting Pakistan was increasing with each passing year.
Fawad said that Lok Virsa, an attached department of the information ministry, was working to preserve dying music instruments and sought Italy’s assistance in adding to the efforts being done to preserve the national heritage of Pakistan.
The ambassador also briefed the minister about the extent of Italian cooperation with Pakistan in the areas of defence, energy and archaeology.
Pontecorvo underscored the need to further reinforce cooperation in the field of archaeology and said that Italy was already working on the third phase of the renovation of the walled city of Multan.