President Junaid Altaf suggests establishment of Tourism Facilitation Authority, improvement of infrastructure and facilities at tourist spots under Public-Private Partnership
Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR
President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Junaid Altaf emphasized tourism is the major sector, which would enormously contribute to economic growth and urged the provincial government to pay full attention for uplift of this crucial sector.
Speaking to participants of a Business Briefing Session on the Silk Route Festival 2026, President Junaid Altaf said tourism is not a name of the only scenic locations but it is to be considered as an economic growth engine.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism and Culture Malik Adeel Iqbal was chief guest at the session whereas officials from Tourism department, representatives of stakeholders and others were also present on the occasion.
The briefing was also attended by SCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, members of the chamber executive committee Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Aftab Iqbal, Ishfaq Ahmad and Shamsur Rehman, and Habibullah Zahid, Tajir Insaf President Shahid Khan, Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, Muhammad Arshad Siddiqui, Rashid Iqbal Siddiqui, Atif Rasheed Khawaja, Nisar Ahmad, Khalid Ayub, Sikandar Iqbal, Saddar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Fazl e Wahid, Fahad Amin, Secretary General SCCI Muqtasid Ahsan, WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, SVP Zaraa Imtiaz, members and KP Youth Assembly office bearers, businessmen attached with diverse sectors, and others.
Participants in the session raised concerns over poor infrastructure and facilities at tourists’ attraction places, scenic valleys, delay in issuance of No-objection certificate, carrying out actions by multiple departments/authorities and other issues, calling them as major obstacle in uplift of tourism and hoteling sector, urging the government to address these concerns on priority basis.
Director Silk Road Enterprises on Silk Route Festival 2026 Ms Sadaf Khalid, Directors Mian Muhammad Hashim and Shehryar Khan through multimedia presentation informed the participants about the upcoming Silk Route Festival 2026 in Islamabad, which is going to be organised in October 24-25 next, and urged the KP businessmen to ensure their maximum in this mega event and showcase the KP’s tourism potentials and boost the provincial economic and the sector.
The SCCI chief highlighted the KP’ rich tourism potentials, calling upon the provincial government to take proactive steps to boost investment in this important sector.
He stressed the need for improvement of basic infrastructure and facilities at tourist-attraction spots under public-private partnership.
President Junaid Altaf suggested establishment of KP Tourism Facilitation Authority to provide facilities to tourists and investors under a one-window operation.
SACM Malik Adeel Iqbal agreed with concerns over the business community and assured steps would be taken to address them promptly.
CM aide’s informed the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is taking pragmatic steps to modernize the tourism sector, expand investment opportunities, and provide world-class facilities to tourists.
He said Tourist Facilitation Centres will be established at major tourist destinations, while a one window operation will also be introduced to facilitate investors and encourage investment in the tourism industry.
