Zardari emphasizes the need to increase Pak’s tourism potential and heart disease prevention programme

ISLAMABAD: Delegations from Air Asia Aviation Group (AAAG) and Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) separately visited President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-i-Sadr on Tuesday.

Underlining the importance of improving air connectivity with various countries, President Asif Ali Zardari said that with an increase in people-to-people contacts, the potential of Pakistan’s tourism sector could be adequately tapped.

The President expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation from the Air Asia Aviation Group (AAAG) that visited him at the Aiwan-i-Sadr. President Zardari further noted that Pakistan occupied an important place due to its tremendous tourism prospects, especially in the field of religious tourism. He said that the Pakistan Stock Market had ideal investment opportunities and urged the investors to fully explore its potential.

The delegation briefed the President of the AAAG and its flight operations.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has underlined the need to create awareness and undertake comprehensive efforts to prevent cardiovascular diseases in Pakistan.

He urged the need to educate people on adopting a healthier lifestyle to prevent heart diseases in the country. The President expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), led by President Major General Masud-ur-Rehman, who visited him in Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.

During his address, the President expressed concern over the increase in cardiovascular diseases and emphasized the need for a comprehensive prevention program for cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases.

He said steps should be taken to enforce the display of health advice on the amount of sugar in carbonated and sugary drinks.

The Head of the Delegation, Major General (R) Masud-ur-Rehman, briefed the President on the role of PANAH in disseminating information on the spread of heart disease and its risk factors among the general public. He said PANAH had made efforts to prevent, minimize and control deaths from angina, heart failure and heart attack.

He said PANAH aimed to educate and train the people on how to recognize cardiac arrest and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to save lives. He further said that PANAH had also helped the victims of natural disasters besides treating poor patients and children.

The President appreciated PANAH’s role in promoting heart health and advocating healthier lifestyles and assured them of his full support in this regard.