Kumrat valley to have national park

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has assured to develop the national park at Kumrat valley in Upper Dir according to the wishes of the local community.

This he said while presiding over a meeting of 18-member’s delegation from Upper Dir headed by Member National Assembly Sahibzada Sibghatullah at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Sunday, said a handout. “The local community will be given more representation in the project. The government will make possible their proprietary rights. The government will promote tourism in Kumrat valley and the local community will be taken on board. The money earned from tourism at Kumrat will be re-utilised in the Kumrat valley on commercial lines,” said the chief minister. The delegation briefed the meeting about the issues and reservations of the local community of Kumrat valley. The chief minister said that the provincial government would go all out for the promotion of tourism. “The PTI government will strive for the indication of tourism spots in the province and then these spots will be developed for tourism and economic stability of the province,” he said, adding, the promotion of tourism in Kumrat valley would be made possible with the cooperation and support of the local community. “The demands and wishes of the local people will be fulfilled on a priority basis,” he said, adding, the construction of roads and other developmental projects would be carried out at Kumrat valley on a priority basis. The protection of Forests at Kumrat Valley would be made possible at all costs, he said and added every facility would be provided at Kumrat for the people. The CM said that the government after ensuring the proprietary rights to local community would go for making a proper decision for the construction of the park at Kumrat. Meanwhile, the chief minister at a meeting agreed to establish a Skill Endowment Fund with the aim to develop a skilled manpower

Senior Minister Atif Khan, Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, Mineral and Mines Minister Dr Amjad Ali, Managing Director, Punjab Skills Development Fund and administrative secretaries also attended the meeting on this occasion. The meeting discussed in details the demand-and-supply situation of the skilled labour in the market and decided that proper training needs to be given to unemployed youngsters enabling them to get employment in and outside the country.