PATO Executive Committee Elections 2026–28 Held Successfully
Pakistan Association of Tour Operators conducts elections across Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan; 25 candidates contest 12 Executive Committee seats.
The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) has successfully conducted its Executive Committee Elections for the 2026–28 term, with polling taking place simultaneously in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan.
PATO Executive Committee Elections 2026–28
ISLAMABAD, September 15, 2026: The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), a national trade organization representing licensed tour operators across Pakistan, has successfully conducted elections for its Executive Committee for the 2026–28 term.
The elections brought together tour operators and eligible members from different parts of the country, including representatives associated with tourism businesses in the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
According to the election information issued by PATO, the polling process was conducted on Monday, September 15, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Polling took place simultaneously at designated locations in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Polling Held Across Four Locations
The polling was conducted under the supervision of a three-member Election Commission. According to PATO, the commission had been appointed by the association’s Executive Committee on July 5, 2026.
The election schedule provided for voting to take place simultaneously at Islamabad, Lahore (COTHM), Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan. The arrangement allowed eligible members from different regions to participate in the election process.
A total of 25 candidates contested the election for the Executive Committee seats, while 174 eligible members cast their votes, according to the information released by PATO. Following polling, the votes were counted and the Election Commission announced the provisional results.
Chairman and Other Office Bearers to Be Elected
The election process will continue with the newly elected Executive Committee members scheduled to select the association’s principal office bearers.
According to PATO’s election announcement, the newly elected Executive Committee will elect the Chairman, Senior Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman on September 20, 2026.
The election for these office-bearer positions is scheduled to take place at the Trade Organization office in Islamabad.
Election of the Chairman, Senior Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman by the newly elected Executive Committee.
Final Results to Be Announced at AGM
PATO has also announced that the final election results will be formally announced during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 23, 2026.
The AGM will provide the formal conclusion to the election process and is expected to bring together members of the association following the election of the new Executive Committee and office bearers.
The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) describes itself as a private, non-commercial, non-political and non-governmental organization representing licensed tour operators in Pakistan.
According to the organization, its membership and activities extend across Pakistan’s four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
PATO says it works for the promotion of sustainable tourism, protection of the interests of tour operators and the projection of a positive international image of Pakistan.
The organization operates within the framework of the relevant trade organization regulations and describes its role as representing the interests of the country’s tour operator community.
Importance for Pakistan’s Tourism Industry
Tour operators play an important role in Pakistan’s tourism sector by connecting domestic and international travelers with destinations, accommodation providers, transport services, guides and other tourism businesses.
The PATO Executive Committee 2026–28 will represent tour operators during the new term at a time when Pakistan’s tourism industry continues to focus on destination development, sustainable tourism, improved visitor services and greater international visibility.
For regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, where tourism is an important part of the local economy, the role of tour operators extends across mountain tourism, trekking, cultural tourism, adventure travel and community-based tourism.
The association’s new leadership will therefore be closely watched by tourism businesses and stakeholders interested in the future direction of the country’s organized tour operator sector.
174 Members Cast Their Votes
According to the PATO election information, 174 eligible members participated in the Executive Committee election, with polling conducted simultaneously at four designated locations.
What Happens Next?
Executive Committee
The elected members begin the next stage of the association’s election process.
Office Bearers
Chairman, Senior Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman are scheduled to be elected on September 20.
Annual General Meeting
Final election results are scheduled to be announced at the AGM on September 23, 2026.
New Term Begins for PATO
With the Executive Committee election completed, the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators is moving into the next stage of its 2026–28 organizational term.
The newly elected members have thanked PATO members for their participation and trust and expressed their commitment to working for the development and growth of the tourism sector in Pakistan.
The selection of the new office bearers on September 20 and the formal announcement of the final results at the September 23 AGM will complete the current election process.