Boost to economy: K-P government to unlock tourism’s potential

K-P CM says new spots being identified for development

ABBOTTABAD: Chief Minister (CM) Mehmood Khan said that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has focused their attention on tourism in order to fix the financial crisis in the country. For this reason a lot of new spots are being identified which can become not only hot spots for tourists but will become a major source of earning for the province as well as for the centre.

The government is chalking out plans to attract domestic and foreign tourists especially in the northern areas of the K-P. He added that simultaneously, we have started work on all sections which include health, communication, education, tourism and industry their impact will start yielding in coming years.

He also informed that party re-organisation is also on the cards and first a regional setup will be formed followed by the district and local organisations as they believe that the main strength of the party is their workers who are an asset for any party.

CM has said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led government’s 100-day performance in K-P will be made public through print and electronic media for which a paper is being prepared and the nation will see positive results as compared to the past.

This he said in Abbottabad on Sunday while addressing media persons and public gatherings arranged by former provincial minister Syed Ahmed Shah at his residence. The former provincial minister was also a candidate for the by-election in PK-30 Manshera on the seat which fell vacant after the disqualification of Zia-ur-Rehman of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over a fake degree issue.

Chief Minister said that the vision of Imran Khan to make all the people in Pakistan stand united as “a nation” is taking shape and countrymen will witness true change as people are prioritising accountability and taking action against all who had looted and plundered the national wealth with both hands through their elected representatives countrywide.

While lashing out at rivals, the CM stated that PTI has dealt with a series of allegations coming from opponents now that they are about to complete their three months in office. However, PTI will prove them wrong as they overcome the multitude of problems left behind by previous governments, mainly in regards to the financial crisis. He further added, “Imran Khan’s vision is a corruption-free Pakistan which will be accomplished through PTI’s dedicated team.”

CM remarked that PTI is the only party who honours its workers and I belong to an average family with no political background, I am an example of the fact that PTI keeps party members solely on merit.

During the public address, a few complaints about the inflated bills of WAPDA and PTI youth works also tried to meet the chief minister and to appraise them with their reservations which later were called at the residence of Ahmad Shah and meet with the Chief Minister.

The CM was accompanied by Speaker K-P Assembly Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, Federal Minister Azam Khan Swati, provincial ministers Arshad Ayub, Qalandar Khan Lodhi , Shoukat Khan Yousafzai , MNAs, MPAs, elected representatives of local bodies, workers and office bearers of different wings of PTI including Qari Rashid.

Earlier Ahmad Shah, who was previously a member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the elder son of former provincial minister Syed Muzammil Shah joined the PTI. He lost the recent election against PML-N’s Zia ur Rehman.

As one of the runner ups he presented a lengthy list of demands and said that six schools in Balakot area including one girls college and commerce college buildings were constructed but no staff has been appointed, which resulted in causing damage to the buildings of the schools and colleges and asked for early appointments of the teaching staff.

Ahmad Shah also stated the early settlement of New Balakot City issue with the compensation and construction of Sukki Kinari Dam people have been waiting for the funds and fulfilment of promises made at the time of signing of agreements at least 13 years back. He also demanded repair work of roads especially from Ghari Habibullah to Balakot which is a major demand of not only of the locals but the hundreds and thousands of tourists visiting every year.

Federal Minister Azam Swati in his speech has demanded from the voters and supporters of PTI to cast their votes in favour of a PTI nominee for the coming by-election of Balkaot-Manshera seat of provincial assembly and added that their long outstanding issues relates to the area will be solved.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2018.