Dr. Charles Metelka - University of Wisconsin-Stout

Chapter I: Introduction
Pakistan, an Islamic country is situated in the northeast of the Indian
Subcontinent in South Asia, has population of 150 million people and a land area of
approximately 891, 940 sq km (344,380 sq miles) including Pakistan controlled area of
Kashmir and disputed Northern areas which is around the third of size of India and twice
the size of Britain. Pakistan, officially known as Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is ,
translated as the" land ofthe pure' and is strategically placed at the crossroads of Asia
where it provides convenient routes between China and Mediterranean as well as between
India and Central Asia plus Middle East. As a result, this junction has been a melting pot
of various cultures, attracting traders, pilgrims and holy men. It shares its borders with
Iran in the south west, Afghanistan on the northwest, India on the east and China in the
Northeast and Arabian Sea in the south .It had only existed as an independent nation after
the partition from British India in August, 1947 as 'homeland 'for India's Muslims.
(lalal, 2006, pg. 92)
Purpose ofstudy
The purpose ofthis study is to identify and project Pakistan's potential for
tourism and how it can be developed further to enhance country's image which is
important for its future growth and development. In addition to this, the study will focus
on problems of tourism development and propose strategies for promotion of tourism that
will be sustainable and reap benefits in line with the government's plan for observing
2006 as year of tourism in Pakistan. Hence, the premise is to develop tourism for just not
attracting more tourists but to ensure that economic benefits are in accordance with
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