Tourist policing system has started yielding results: official

PESHAWAR: The introduction of tourist policing system has started yielding positive results as the tourists are now feeling a sense of safety and security as they visit the scenic spots in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This was stated by Secretary Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs, Muhammad Tariq, during his visit to Kalam and Naran on Monday.

Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, General Manager (Admin & Properties) Sajjad Hameed and project Director Tauseef Khalid accompanied the secretary.

The officials inspected the pace of work on the ongoing tourism and beautification projects in Kalam and Naran. They also visited renovated tourist rest areas, parks and road reconstruction projects.

The secretary expressed satisfaction over the available facilities at the camping pods in Hazara and Malakand divisions and said that the tourists were now enjoying the modern day facilities at these camping pods. He said that setting up of camping pods in scenic spots of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was another success story created by the tourism department after the rest-houses in Galiyat.

The official said that the record visit of tourists to the serene places of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was testimony to the fact that government was interested in the promotion of tourism in the province. He said more steps would be taken to attract more tourists to these scenic sites.

He also said that the tourist policing system had been appreciated by tourists and local community alike as the specially trained police personnel were now providing assistance to tourists during natural disasters, emergencies, traffic gridlock and dealing tourists with good behavior.

TCKP Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said that camping pods in Thandiani, Sharan and Bashigram had been opened for the tourists.

He said the tourists had demanded the establishment of such camping pods in other tourist places so they could not face any problem of accommodation during their stay at the serene resorts.