Panj Peer Rocks latest tourist attraction

Long a favourite camping spot and considered a hidden secret for residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the provincial government on Tuesday formally recognised the rough outcrop of Panj Peer Rocks as a tourist site.

The site will be developed and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan within two months.

This was disclosed by Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Tourism Tariq Murtaza on Tuesday.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Murtaza said that the rocks are located at a height that is comparable with the popular hill station of Murree, while visitors can see the expanse of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi from it.

As part of developing the area for tourists, he said that the government will develop camping areas for visitors apart from establishing tuck shops, installing benches at the viewpoint, and building washrooms.

Moreover, Murtaza said that they will issue formal route maps to the spot and directional information will be added to existing road signs in different areas of the twin cities including at Koral Chowk, Khanna Pull and Faizabad.

The adviser added that the provincial government is preparing a master plan for 50 new tourist spots located the scenic Kotli Sattiyan, Kahuta, and Murree areas of Rawalpindi Division,

Asked about the sensitive nature of Kahuta given some national installations there, Murtaza conceded that it was important to come up with a solution which balances the need for promoting tourism all the while maintaining safeguards.

Hence, he said that the government has decided to build new roads through Patriata to reach the tourist spots in Kotli Sattiyan.

Further, he said that the road from Narar from Kahuta will be repaired as an alternative route and that tenders in this regard have already been issued.

The adviser added that by creating new tourist destinations, they hope to provide employment opportunities to around 20,000 people in the area.

Murtaza said that all development work in these areas will be completed under public-private partnership.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2020.