The Sindh Culture and Tourism Department has announced the launch of the Thar Desert Train Safarian initiative aimed at promoting tourism and highlighting the cultural wealth of the province.
The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Provincial Culture and Tourism Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah and attended by representatives of Karachi Tour Operators Association, Express News reported.
Speaking at the meeting, Shah confirmed that the first trip of the Thar Desert Train Safari It is scheduled for the second week of February.
The train will operate from Karachi to Khokhrapar, passing through Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Chhor, offering passengers a glimpse of Sindh’s vibrant culture and its stunning desert landscapes.
“This initiative will showcase the cultural and natural beauty of Sindh,” Shah said.
“We are also planning a jeep rally in Tharparkar and a two-day Lahooti festival in Larkana starting February 15, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism.”
Shah emphasized the need for tour operators and businesses to focus on developing the tourism potential of Sindh. He highlighted the government’s commitment to improving tourism and said, “Under the vision of President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, we aim to make Sindh a hub for cultural and tourism activities.”
The safari is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism in Sindh, including developing new attractions and promoting local festivals.
Last year, in a move to boost tourism, the Sindh government announced substantial reductions in fees for filming, theatre, commercial videos, photography and wedding photo shoots at various cultural and historical sites.
This initiative was led by Provincial Minister of Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
According to a statement from the department, the fee for filming in Mohenjo-Daro and Makli has been drastically reduced from Rs 200,000 to just Rs 50,000. Also, the fee of Quaid-e-Azam House Museum has been reduced from Rs 100,000 to Rs 30,000.
The new rates for other notable sites include a reduction for the Maki House Museum in Hyderabad, Kot Diji Fort and Naukot Fort, now set at Rs 30,000 instead of Rs 100,000.
Similarly, charges for filming at Umar Kot Fort and Museum, Rani Kot Fort, Chaukundi Cemetery and Bhambore Fort have also been set at Rs 30,000.
