If all goes according to plan, the province of Sindh will soon have its very own tourist resort, one that is sure to challenge Murree for spot of top tourist destination of the country.
Located 450km from Karachi is the hill station of Gorakh. Spread over an area of more than 2000 acres and at an altitude of 5000feet, the hill station is not exactly within the vicinity of Sindh as a part of it also lies within Balochistan’s territory. But it’s the Sindh side that may finally be getting the keen eye of the developers from its provincial government.
The Gorakh Hill Station lies next to Khirthar Range. It is also in the vicinity of famous historical places such as Mari-Jo-Thal in Dadu district and Kute-Ji-Kabar in Larkana district. Other important neighbourhoods include, Rani Kot, Fort of Sehwan Sharif (Sewistan), Amri-Ja-Dara, the great mosque of Khudabad and the Manchhar Lake. However, in the long run, the greatest asset of the place may prove to be its weather. In a province that paints a picture of sizzling hot sandy dunes, Gorakh is famous for its freezing weather. So much so that the minimum extreme recorded in the area during the summers is -3 C, while the lowest for the winters is -20 C.
Gorakh Hill Station has all the traits of a major summer retreat like Koh-Mari and Fort Munro of Dera Ghazi Khan. With its tourist potential, Gorakh certainly holds the promise of generating revenue for the local population. In the past, law and order used to be a major problem. Recently, however, the provincial government has taken note of the crime situation in the area and proper police presence is now felt in the region. New police posts have been established and horse, camel and donkey mounted patrols have been initiated in order to provide safety to the coming tourists, both locals and foreigners.
Still, much more needs to be done and once the projects are complete, Gorakh will have to be actively and professionally sold to the world as a major tourist destination. Already, the locals are taking interest in the development of the hill station. In fact, people from different parts of the province are already in touch with the Gorakh Hill Station Development Authority for the purchase and sale of land in the region.
The first major development projects of the area took place in 1998 when the then provincial government of Chief Minister Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi allocated funds worth Rs45.252 million for various development projects. These included a road via Wahi Pandhi to the top and into the Gorakh Hill Station, a water supply scheme, two police centres and a police line for security purpose; a hospital and rest house for the tourists. However, as soon as Liaquat Jatoi’s government was suspended, so was all development work in the region.
Thereafter came a time of complete neglect by the government, both in the province and in Islamabad. Work stopped as officials decided to look the other way and once again the project was left in the doldrums. The sitting Chief Minister, Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar, has now re-initiated the project and has accorded it top priority.
Last year, on February 4, his government released Rs198.269 million for the redevelopment of all projects and also took the important step of announcing the creation of Gorakh Hill Station Authority. DCO Dadu, Aijaz Ahmed Mangi was appointed as the Director General of Gorakh Hill Station Authority and was given the target of completing all projects before the end of 2004.
The barren terrain leading up to the hill station is a very difficult area. With a rocky landscape, the only way up is via a donkey’s back. But this problem too is being tackled at a steady pace. A major, yet difficult road of 32km from Wahi Pandhi to the base of Khawal Luck has been constructed and made functional.
However, now a major part of the project comes into play. An eight kilometer long road needs to be laid round Khawal Luck, which is by far the most challenging task for the managers of the hill station. After blasting parts of Khawal Luck, a road can be completed to the top of the Gorakh Hill Station. The completion of this track of road is very important, as after it is made operational, vehicles will be able to make it to the hill station, and people will be able to start their tours, visits and business.
Multinational corporations, foreign businesses and various hotels have been in touch with the provincial government and have shown an interest in developing and establishing their business interests in the area.
DG Aijaz Ahmed Mangi has also made the proposal and sent to the Sindh Chief Minister for the establishment of schools, amusement parks, residential colonies, police posts, small hospitals on the top of the Gorakh Hill Station.
If all goes according to plan, the province of Sindh will soon have its very own tourist resort, one that is sure to challenge Murree for spot of top tourist destination of the country.
