Pakistan celebrates elevation as the best holiday destination.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan yesterday celebrated its elevation as the best holiday destination by the World Index. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi congratulated the nation on declaration of Pakistan as the best holiday destination.

In a statement, he said this ranking vindicates the international acknowledgement in Pakistan's positive policies. The FM reminded travel advisories were being issued in connection with violence in India due to its brutal policies in the past while 'now Pakistan is being declared the best place to visit.' Qureshi appreciated the security forces and law enforcement agencies which rendered sacrifices to purge the country from the scourge of terrorism. Pakistan was ranked as the best holiday destination for 2020 by Conde Nast Traveller, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine. This information was yesterday tweeted and shared by World Index on their official Twitter handle.

According to the list provided, Pakistan topped the list followed by the United Kingdom, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Brazil. Other countries that made it to the list included Australia, Ireland, the Philippines, France, Sicily, Senegal, the United States of America, Lebanon, China, Denmark, the British Virgin Islands, Morocco, Panama, Croatia and Japan.

Citing the list shared by the World Index, President Dr Arif Alvi took to his Twitter account and said: 'Recognition of the most remarkable and beautiful place on Earth. Pakistan is a country of hospitable people, tall snow covered peaks, glaciers, beautiful rivers and serene lakes. Cradle of the 'oldest' Indus Valley civilization and then later, the cradle of Buddhism. Visit us and enjoy.'

In a feature published on its website by Lizzie Pook and Tabitha Joyce, the Conde Nast Traveller magazine hailed Pakistan as the 'adventure traveller's must-visit' country.

'Thwarted by tales of terrorism and Taliban rule, Pakistan's tourism industry has been stymied for the past two decades,' it said, adding that despite these concerns, the country's 'ancient valleys (and) relaxed visa restrictions' were finally bringing it back into focus.

'Pakistan has more peaks taller than 22,965ft than...