Work advances on three tourism zones

Integrated zones in Mansehra, Swat and Chitral are anticipated to elevate tourist arrivals

PESHAWAR:

Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, has recently directed all provincial departments to place a heightened emphasis on the timely completion of public welfare projects while maintaining the highest standards of quality. This directive underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens can benefit promptly from essential projects without undue delays.

In a comprehensive meeting dedicated to reviewing ongoing developmental activities, the caretaker chief minister chaired discussions with key officials, including spokesperson Brigadier (retd) Syed Mujtaba Tirmizi, administrative secretaries, and other relevant high-ranking officials. The meeting served as a platform to assess and address critical matters related to various provincial departments, ranging from Tourism, Culture, Archaeology and Museum, to Communication & Works, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative departments.

The Tourism Department took center stage during the briefing, shedding light on pivotal initiatives. It was revealed that properties belonging to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in the province have been handed over to the provincial tourism department. Simultaneously, the process of outsourcing these properties under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been set in motion.

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This strategic move aims not only to enhance the effective management of these properties but also to bolster them as a significant source of income for the provincial government.

Furthermore, the meeting delved into the establishment of Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZs) by the tourism department. Presently, work is in progress on three distinct ITZs, including the Ghanol Integrated Tourism Zone in Mansehra covering 480 Kanals, estimated at a cost of Rs5.5 billion. Additionally, the Mankial ITZ in Swat (754 Kanals) and the Madaklasht ITZ in Chitral (540 Kanals) are slated to be established at an estimated cost of Rs3 billion and Rs3.8 billion, respectively. The discussion also touched upon significant development projects such as Hund Park, the Kumrat-Madaklasht cable car, and the installation of camping pods at various tourist spots across the province.

The chief minister, during the meeting, directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Urban Mobility Authority (KPUMA) to prepare a master plan for traffic management in Abbottabad.

The chief minister emphasized the urgency of addressing the worsening traffic situation in Abbottabad comprehensively, underscoring the importance of a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2024.