CM aide on tourism chairs meeting on ADP schemes for FY 2024-25
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Tourism Zahid Chanzeb on Monday chaired a special review meeting regarding the proposed ADP schemes for the financial year 2024-25 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department.
According to an official handout, the draft of the ADP schemes was taken into consideration during the meeting.
The meeting was informed that 35 ongoing and 20 new mega schemes have been proposed for the upcoming financial year in various sectors of tourism, culture and archeology, the cost of which is estimated at trillions of rupees.
However in view of the meagre financial resources of the province, most of the projects will be completed through public private participation (PPP)
While under the AIP program that was launched with the support of the federal government for the merged districts, five ongoing and new schemes are being included in the new annual development program for which three billion rupees are being allocated.
Secretary Tourism Muhammad Bakhtiar Khan, Chief Planning Officer Zainullah Khan, Director General Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) Barkatullah Marwat, Director Archives Dr. Abdul Samad and other concerned high-ups attended the meeting.
On this occasion, the Adviser Tourism while highlighting the priorities of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI ) led provincial government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur clarified that only viable schemes should be included in the new ADP like all other sectors of which can be ensured timely and quality completion and have direct and maximum results in all aspects of public and economic interests, even if such mega projects are dozens instead of hundreds in number, he added.
Zahid Chanzeb said that in the future, instead of wasting valuable resources on the construction of buildings and rest houses in tourist areas, eco-friendly tourism should be promoted in which make-shift camping pods and fireproof tents and wash rooms for the boarding and lodging of tourists.
He said that launch of helicopter service for tourist places (starting for Chitral with CM’s helicopter presently), establishment of theme and adventure parks in the most important tourist centers, construction of link roads for new tourist areas and installation of modern chairlifts in the mountainous areas are measures that involved interest of tourists, create attraction and enhanced the opportunities of entertainment and creativity for the tourists, especially children and youth.
“This will also increase the income of the province and the employment opportunities for the local people”, he maintained.
The Tourism Adviser directed to keep Chitral on top priority in the ADP where there is a wide range of tourism opportunities and there is a possibility of round the year tourism activities after the Lowari Tunnel remained open.
Similarly, he emphasized on the inclusion of substantial schemes for the development of tourism in the southern and merged districts and asserted that there are not only serene touristic places but also religious buildings and archeological sites existed there, where by developing the infrastructure, tourism, employment opportunities and The revenue of the province can be significantly increased, he concluded.
