Under PPP model
CM Afridi says steps underway to make tourism a pillar of KP’s economy
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
An important meeting of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Committee held here on Tuesday with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi in the chair, approved the concession agreement for the Integrated Tourism Zone (ITZ) Thandiani, according to an official statement.
Briefing the meeting, officials said the project carries a minimum revenue potential of Rs23 billion, with no cap on projected earnings.
The Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to proceed with signing the concession agreement with the private partner.
He said the project aims to transform Thandiani, a renowned hill resort, into an eco-friendly tourism destination through private sector investment.
In line with the vision of former prime minister Imran Khan, he added, the provincial government was working to make tourism a cornerstone of economic stability.
Integrated Tourism Zones are flagship initiatives of the provincial government and must be developed in accordance with environmentally sustainable principles, the chief minister stressed.
To fully tap the province’s tourism potential, a multi-pronged strategy is being pursued.
The meeting was informed that the Thandiani ITZ comprises four zones and three packages designed to cater to tourists of all age groups.
The three packages include 14 potential tourism projects, three new hotels or condotels, and 263 hotel and resort keys. Planned facilities include serviced apartments, recreational attractions, shopping malls, commercial complexes, amusement parks, welfare areas, family serviced apartments, parking facilities, and other amenities.
It was further shared that Thandiani will be the fourth Integrated Tourism Zone in the province, spread over 400 kanals. Other ITZs under development include Ghanool in Mansehra (480 kanals), Mankyal in Swat (754 kanals), and Madaklasht in Chitral (540 kanals), with a combined cost of Rs12.3 billion.
The Chief Minister directed the authorities to take all possible measures to ensure the timely and quality completion of these projects.
