KP govt withdraws NOC condition for foreign tourists

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has withdrawn the condition of acquiring No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the foreigners, who intend to visit the scenic sites located in Swat, Chitral and elsewhere in Malakand Division.

“The foreigners who intend to visit the scenic spots in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are now not required to acquire any NOC for their travel,” said a press release on Wednesday.

A letter sent by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to the Secretary Sports, Tourism, Archeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Department and the KP Police chief said that the Malakand Division has been declared open and is no more a restricted area.

The letter has been termed the most important information and called for its immediate release to the quarters concerned, particularly the foreigners who would visit the tourist resorts in Swat, Chitral and other parts of Malakand Division.

The letter said: “Further in continuation of this department’s letter of even number dated 16th March 2016, I am directed to state that foreign tourists who intend to visit Malakand Division, are not required to get NOC, as Malakand Division has been declared open and is no more restricted area. The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators may be facilitated in the conduct of their tours.”

The copy of this information has also been forwarded to the Headquarters 11 Corps, Peshawar, the Joint Director General Intelligence Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, personal staff officer to chief minister of KP, personal staff officer to KP chief secretary, Adl Inspector General of Police, Special Branch, KP, and Secretary Home Department. The NOC was a major obstacle in the way of foreign tourists who wanted to travel to tourism-rich Swat and Chitral districts.