Sir: A strong tourism industry is very important for the economic growth of any nation. Tourism makes a significant contribution to the wealth of many countries. Pakistan’s tourism was at its peak during the 1970s when the country received unprecedented amounts of foreign tourists. The main destinations were the Khyber Pass, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Swat, Quetta, Gawadar and Rawalpindi. The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index ranks us at 126 out of 140 countries for tourism. Pakistan has been facing problems in policy as well as in its implementation to exploit the inherent tourist potential of the country due to social and religious constraints, ineffective promotional policies, lack of infrastructure and inadequate tourist services. The tourism potential of the country has not been realised and harnessed properly because of a lack of initiatives on the part of concerned government departments known for their inadequate knowledge and training of relevant personnel in the tourism sector. There is also lack of projection in the media to the outside world. Also, it is simply not safe for foreigners to come and experience the best the country has to offer. Strategies to develop the tourism industry would include formulation of a comprehensive and realistic tourism policy that would support tourism as an industry and create credibility. The fallen tourism industry needs to be revived through planning and implementing access to finance, investment incentives, attracting foreign investments and efficiently handling the management of local tourism. Only then can we expect to regain the glory days of Pakistani tourism. MUHAMMAD FAROOQ AHMED Karachi