CM announces uplift projects for Chitral

Shandur Festival kicks off

CHITRAL: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Friday announced a comprehensive development package for Chitral district at the opening ceremony of traditional Shandur Festival.

The package included Chitral University, 55 micro projects of net hydel power generation that will cost Rs200 million and would facilitate a population of different localities estimated to be 50,000.

The chief minister announced a grant of Rs1 billion for the overall development of Chitral. Pervez Khattak announced solar kits for 3,000 houses of the district and assured that Chitral would get lion’s share in the already allocated Rs2 billion for the promotion of tourism in the province.

The chief minister said the province had no dearth of talent in all spares but in sports our young proved their skills at international level and earned a good name for their country. Pervez Khattak said the provincial government had limited resources but would continue its agenda to promote our traditional games not only at national but international level as well.

He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had 75 percent tourism related sports, which we wanted to promote for the overall development of the province and country. “Hopefully this will lead to more earning and at the end of the day it will facilitate the stability of our national economy,” he added.

The chief minister expressed his commitment to the promotion of tourism and sports and therefore it would help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation to stand on its feet. Pervez Khattak said Polo at Shandur reminded us centuries old traditions of the region. He added that the people of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan were naturally hospitable and game friendly.