CM gives nod to Tourism Authority in KP

PESHAWAR: A separate Tourism Authority under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act is on cards in the province as the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said Monday there was need to transform the province into a tourist hub.

In this regard, a meeting about the KP Tourism Act was held under the chairmanship of the chief minister. Senior Minister for Tourism Muhammad Atif Khan, Finance Minister Taimoor Saleem Jhagra, Law Minister Sultan Muhammad Khan and other officials were also present.

The meeting was informed that a total of 20 tourist spots have been identified in the province so far, which will be converted into tourist zones under the Act. The tourist zones will be extended to the newly merged tribal districts for establishment of healthy atmosphere after decades of insurgency and to generate livelihood opportunities there. The chief minister directed the inspector general of police to conclude the training of tourism police till June this year.

The tourism police will be selected from among the existing force and will be provided trainings with the help of Thailand Tourism Authority.

The senior minister informed the meeting that the draft tourism bill had been prepared as per the directives of the chief minister and would be presented in the assembly soon for a final approval. The chief minister stated that all facilities would be made available in the tourist zones, including international standard hotels, green belts, sports grounds, jeep tracks and facilities related to tourist activities.

The chief minister directed establishment of tourist zones in areas of Swat including Gabeen Jabba, Daral Lake valley, Mankyal Valley, Boyon Valley, Kandal and Izmis Lake and areas in Chitral including Bir Mughalaght Valley, Golain Valley and areas of Buner including Bir Gali. The chief minister added that these tourist spots would be connected with Dir and soon an entire tourism network established in the province.