Foreign tourists no longer require NoC to visit Malakand Division

TCKP statement hails decision, says it will benefit tourism industry in province


Our Correspondent March 30, 2016
TCKP statement hails decision, says it will benefit tourism industry in province. PHOTO: fb.com/TCKP

PESHAWAR: Foreign tourists will no longer require a no-objection certificate (NoC) when they travel to Malakand Division.

This was stated in a letter issued by K-P Home and Tribal Affairs department on March 29 and made public on Wednesday. The letter has been addressed to the secretary for sports, culture, tourism, youth affairs, archaeology and museum department and IGP Nasir Durrani.

Soft image: Call for innovative ideas to promote tourism

According to a copy of the letter available with The Express Tribune, the recipients were told “Malakand Division was no longer a restricted area and was declared open for foreign tourists”.

Immediate release

The home and tribal affairs department has demanded the contents of the letter be immediately released to the quarters concerned, particularly foreigners visiting
the region.

“The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators [should also be] facilitated in planning tours.”

Copies of the letter have also been forwarded to Corps Headquarters Peshawar, the intelligence bureau joint director general, personal staff officer to the chief minister, personal staff officer to K-P chief secretary, additional IGP of special branch, among others.

Relics of bygone era: Revival of Swat Museum draws back tourists

Boost to tourism

According to a statement issued by Tourism Corporation Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) on Wednesday, the NoC was “a major obstacle in the way of foreign tourists” who wanted to travel to Malakand Division.

“As travel restrictions have been lifted and the NoC no longer poses a hurdle, foreign tourists can visit Swat, Chitral and other areas with ease,” the statement read. “This will benefit the tourism industry in the province.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st,  2016.

COMMENTS (3)

Mario | 7 years ago | Reply Hey, this are very good news. I hope this will help tourism and development in that area. It would be interesting to know if there are still escorts mandatory. I am considering visiting Swat, would be my third trip to Pakistan. Greetings from Germany, Mario
Sonya | 7 years ago | Reply I am sorry but a visit to Kalam via Swat (Malakand) last year was such a disappointment with no infrastructure built for the tourists, a bad weather can easily trap you for uncertain number of days. Additionally the eateries were unhygienic all along and dilapidated or unpaved roads, no electricity, no-class hotels, sorry state of White Palace, unclean lakes, have all made my trip worthless.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ