Changing spaces

Opening up more spaces to people would obviously improve their quality of life. The notice taken of this reality by PTI chief Imran Khan is, therefore, welcome, as are his comments on the potential of tourism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and the use of money generated from this for developmental purposes. Imran Khan is also correct in pointing out that the large-scale destruction of forested areas in the province must stop.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Green Growth Initiative held at the Pakistan Forest Institute on February 9 in Peshawar, Imran Khan also spoke of developing new tourist sites. The PTI chairman announced that the Governor’s House would be transformed into a park for women and the historical Balahisar Fort would be opened up to the public. The picturesque fort, which overlooks the Grand Trunk Road, has been the headquarters for the Frontier Corps since 1948. It was also announced that the Central Jail Peshawar would be relocated, turning the premises into a public space and K-P’s 32 rest houses would also be turned into places the public could visit.

These steps are welcome. They will allow people entry into sites closed to them for decades. The potential for tourism in K-P, as in other parts of our country, is also immense. But we must hope the new development Imran Khan speaks of, around the Balahisar Fort for example, will be tastefully carried out. Ill-planned construction has already ruined too many beautiful spots in our country. We can also not ignore the fact that the existing security situation dissuades tourists. This, too, is an issue the K-P government will need to tackle. But the thinking expressed by Imran Khan, his desire to open up a closed country, is something that was badly needed. We must hope he can succeed with his plans. This, after all, is a fundamental feature of democratic rule, but one that has been ignored in our country by successive regimes. Imran Khan’s focus on it is a good omen.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th,  2014.

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