PESHAWAR: Pakistani officials say the government plans to build a recreation complex in the town where al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was killed by US commandos in 2011.   

Syed Aqil Shah, sports and tourism minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Monday the project in Abbottabad will have a zoo, paragliding club and water sports facilities. It will also have cultural heritage park.

Shah said the development is not intended to counter Abbottabad's negative reputation following bin Laden's discovery there. He said it's part of a revival of recreational and cultural activities in the province.

But Javed Iqbal Abbasi, a lawmaker from the area, hoped the project will improve Abbottabad's image.

It will cost about $50 million and take five years to build. Construction will begin in a few weeks.