F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gives nod for establishing separate Tourism Authority in the province.
A separate tourism Authority under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act is on the cards for Provincial government as the chief minister has stressed on the need to transform the province into a tourist hub for the entire country.
In this regard high level meeting regarding KP Tourism Act was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in which senior minister for tourism Muhammad Atif Khan, Minister Finance Taimoor Saleem Jhagra, Minister for Law Sultan Muhammad Khan and other high ranking officials took part.
The meeting was informed that a total of 20 tourist spots have been identified in the province so far which will be converted into tourist zones under the act for promotion of tourism in the province.
The tourist zones will slowly be extended to the newly merged districts for establishment of healthy atmosphere after decades of insurgency and to generate livelihood opportunities in the newly merged districts. The Chief Minister also directed the Inspector General of police to conclude the training of tourism police till June this year. The tourism police will be selected from among the existing force and will be provided trainings with the help of Thailand Tourism Authority.
Senior Minister for tourism Atif Khan informed the meeting that the draft tourism bill has been prepared as per the directives of Chief Minister and will be presented in the assembly very soon for final approval.
The Chief Minister added that all facilities will be made available in the tourist zones including international standard hotels, green belts, sport grounds, Jeep tracks and facilities related tourist activities.
The Chief Minister further directed to establish tourist zones in areas of Swat including Gabeen Jabba, Daral lake valley, Mankyal Valley, Boyon Valley, Kandal& Izmis lake and areas in Chitral including Bir Mughalaght Valley, Golain Valley and areas of District Buner including BirGali.
The Chief Minister furthered that these tourist spots will be connected with District Dir and very soon an entire tourism network will be established in the province. The Chief Minister added that every effort will be made towards increasing tourism related activities which will not only help in in revenue generation for the country but will further the peaceful narrative of Pakistan internationally.
