Senate panel flags hurdles to Chitral tourism

The Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination has been informed that security concerns continue to pose a challenge in Chitral, with foreign tourists required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) prior to visiting the district.

The panel met under the chairmanship of Senator Dilawar Khan to review a wide-ranging agenda, with a primary focus on the promotion of tourism in Chitral, institutional coordination, and national development programmes.

The committee was informed that several initiatives are underway to promote tourism, including activation of digital platforms, development of the "Visit Chitral Valley" website, preparation of brochures and maps, and collaboration with UNESCO.

Senator Talha Mehmood expressed serious concern over the state of tourism infrastructure in Chitral. He highlighted that the lack of basic facilities remains a major obstacle to tourism growth.

"Internet and social media access, now essential in the modern tourism landscape, are largely unavailable in the region," he stated, adding that despite the global importance of Kalash culture and the Shandur Polo Festival, facilities for thousands of visiting tourists remain inadequate.

He noted deficiencies in accommodation, food services and emergency healthcare, revealing that hospitals in Chitral face a severe shortage of medical facilities, stating that even water is not available for surgical procedures.

He further questioned the absence of functional dialysis machines across the district and disclosed that machines in Lower Chitral are also non-operational.

A "Responsible Tourism" campaign has been launched to promote respect for local culture and environmental protection, particularly in the Kalash region. However, security concerns remain a challenge, as foreign tourists are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate before visiting Chitral.

The committee was told that after the 18th Amendment, tourism was devolved to the provinces, and in 2022, PTDC motels were transferred accordingly. (With input from APP)