CM aide for provision of all possible facilities to tourists

MANSEHRA: Asking the officials to provide all possible facilities to tourists, Advisor to Chief Minister on Tourism, Culture and Archeology Zahid Chanzeb on Tuesday said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was committed to promoting the tourism industry to generate revenue to meet its budgetary expenses.

“Our province has been facing financial challenges and tourism is one of its major resources to earn revenue and utilise it on the prosperity and development of people,” he told a meeting attended by heads and representatives of line departments, National Highway Authority, Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) and Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) at the Circuit House here.

The CM advisor directed both KDA and GDA director generals (DGs) to make sure that those approaching them for non-objection certificates or acquisition of lands for the construction of hotels and other commercial entities returned disappointed.

“Kaghan valley in Mansehra and Galiyat in Abbottabad are paradises on earth and attract an unmatched number of visitors every year. I want more commercial activities at both the destinations and you should welcome investors for more investment,” the adviser added.He also directed the district police officer (Mansehra) to ensure the deployment of extra police personnel in Kaghan valley.

“I would never tolerate even a single fine of any tourist family as these people come here to

enjoy nature and our hospitality and we have to reflect it in letter and spirit at any cost,” Zahid Chanzeb said.

The CM aide said that the tourism police force would assist the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in Kaghan, Galiyat and the rest of the tourists’ attractions in the province.He directed heads of the Health Department and Rescue 1122 to make sure doctors and other staff were present 24/7 in health facilities and emergency stations in Kaghan Valley to serve tourists during the entire season.

“We are going to set up a 1915 police helpline service for visitors throng to tourists’ destinations in the province in the summer and a proposal for the establishment of such an FM radio station is also in the pipeline,” he added.