KARACHI: Kyrgyzstan is in process of launching electronic visa facility with seven days process to encourage and facilitate Pakistani tourists, said H.E. Erik Beishembiev, The Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan.

Addressing the participants of an introductory event held in Karachi recently, H.E.  Ambassador said that Kyrgyzstan have many attractive tourist destinations as the country’s 94 percent area consists of mountains and lakes. The envoy sought the help of tour operators particularly the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) to explore the natural beauty of the “heart of the centre of Asia”.

Chairman TAAP, Mr. Naeem Sharif, speaking on the occasion suggested the formation of Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Tourism Promotion Council (PKJTPC) with representation of TAAP and Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO) and patronized by foreign missions of both the countries. “Kyrgyz foreign missions in Pakistan can play a vital role in supporting and encouraging TAAP and KATO to work closely and encourage both inbound and outbound tourism”, he viewed.

He informed the participants that after 9/11 the tourism industry has taken a huge toll especially in the inbound tourism. “The repercussions for Pakistan have been huge as tourism allows wealth to be injected into the community in  variety of ways”, he added.

He noted that the outbound tourism also shifted mainly towards Middle East and Far East and introduction of Kyrgyzstan as new destination would be quite beneficial.

Mr. Esen Aksamaev, First Secretary/ Consular Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic also informed about the tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan and briefed about the visa process and investment opportunities available in the country. He also sought suggestions for promotion of bilateral economic relations and people-to-people contacts.

Mr. Khizer Schon, Honorary Consul General of Kyrgyz Republic also spoke on the occasion and called for the promotion of bilateral tourism between the two brotherly countries. He also stressed the need for direct flights between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan in order to facilitate and encourage tourist inflow and outflow.