CM Mahmood Khan wants KP Culture and Tourism Authority made functional

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday said that Pakistan emerged as one of the best tourist destinations in the world owing to the vision and untiring efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Chairing a meeting on the performance review of Sports, Culture and Tourism Department and the functionalisation of Culture and Tourism Authority in the province, he directed the department to ensure maximum utilisation of developmental funds.

Advisor to CM for merged districts Ajmal Wazir, Special Assistant on Excise & Taxation Ghazan Jamal, Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir, Secretary Sports, DG Culture and Tourism Authority and other officials attended the meeting, said a handout.

Mahmood Khan said implementation of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision and mission for the promotion of tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be ensured. The chief minister also approved to bring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Enterprise Project (KITE) under the tourism authority. He said that Arbab Niaz Stadium should be made ready to host the next Pakistan Super League tournament while work should also be initiated on KP Sports Policy.

Mahmood Khan directed the department to undertake measures for promotion of high-end tourism in the province which will generate revenue, helping the province to become financially self-sufficient.

He asked the department to undertake measures for initiation of Under-21 games, national youth carnival and talent hunt programme along with immediate functionalisation of Jawan Markaz throughout the province.

The meeting decided identification and promotion of tourist activities in the southern districts during winter and holding of folk and spring festivals across the province.

The chief minister made it clear that the prime minister was taking special interest in promoting tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that negligence would not be tolerated in this regard.

The chief minister directed to conduct feasibility for the establishment of centre of excellence for sports and introduction of sports as a subject in the curriculum.

He asked the department to start working on promoting co-curricular and cultural activities in the educational institutions of the province. Earlier, the meeting was briefed on the steps taken for the promotion of tourism in the province and establishment of KP Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA).

The meeting was told that a tollfree helpline has been set up which will provide information on available tourism options which will help in efficient planning by tourists.

It was informed that six out of nine facilitation centres have been completed in Malakand division whereas tele-marketing and installations of tourist stalls will soon be initiated throughout the country.

The chief minister directed that KPCTA should be functionalized in the province. He asked the authority to notify its board on a priority basis.

The participants were told about the progress made so far in the establishment of KPCTA and overall planning, which include strategic, institutional and operational level planning while the meeting was also given detailed briefing on the function and Organogram of KPCTA.