Establish development authorities, says Khattak

Rs50m approved for uplift of tourism; BoD told

Rs244.124m to be spent on 12 tourism projects

PESHAWAR

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Wednesday directed the officials to expedite work on establishing development authorities in different parts of the province.

He was chairing the 20th meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) here, said a handout. The BoD approved Rs50 million budget of TCKP and nomination of four members for the board from private sector.

Member Provincial Assembly Muhammad Zahid Durrani, Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Hamad Owais Agha, Secretary Sports and Tourism Muhammad Azam Khan, Secretary Environment Syed Nazar Hussain, Special Secretary Finance Kamran Rahman, Managing Director TCKP Mushtaq Ahmed, MD Bank of Khyber and other members of the board attended the meeting. The meeting discussed the TCKP affairs including the Annual Development Schemes 2015-16 for the tourism sector, progress on tourism promotional initiatives, annual budget and accounts and took numerous decisions for enabling TCKP achieve its target set for the current year. The chief minister directed the tourism and environment departments to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a recreation park near under-construction Pashtungarhi Bridge and also developing a wetland park in the same area with necessary provision for the preservation of wildlife. He also directed to expedite progress on construction of zoo. He also stressed for completion of the recreational development, beautification, rehabilitation and renovation project of Nathiagali by the upcoming tourists season. The chief minister asked the Finance Department to grant sanction of all the new posts which are demanded by the government departments in the larger public interest. The meeting was informed that a total of Rs244.124 million would be spent on 12 tourism schemes under ADP 2015-16.

These schemes also include establishment of picnic spots at Malam Jabba, tourists water sports facilities, walking and jeepable tracks, tourists camps, tourists facilities at Golen Gole, Broghil (Chitral), Mirajani and Dangri in Abbottabad and Mansehra districts, Beergali in Swabi and Kumrat in Dir, and holding traditional events at local, national and international level.

It was also told that different tourism promotional events had been planned for the year 2016 which include Huner Mela, Huner-e-Hawa, FITUR Spain, Madrid, ITB Berlin, Germany, Kalash Festival, Shandur Polo Festival, Broghal Festival, World Tourism Day, and World Travel Mart, London. The MD TCKP also informed that the corporation carried out 18 tourism promotional activities in different parts of the province and abroad.