CHITRAL, July 21: Five hotels of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in Chitral are being given to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as a result of the 18th Constitution Amendment.

These five hotels so far run by the PTDC are located in Bumburate, Booni, Mastuj, Birmogh Lusht and Chitral city. An official of the corporation said that the assets had now been transferred to the provincial government, but the fate of 35 employees was yet to be decided.

The PTDC hotel in Chitral was established in 1974 and it happened to be the largest hotel in the district catering to the needs of foreign tourists attracted here mostly by the Kalash people’s unique and primitive culture.

The four other hotels were established in 1990s when Shahzada Mohyuddin of Chitral was minister of tourism in then Nawaz Sharif cabinet.

One of the five hotels situated in Birmogh Lusht, however, could not be put to operation after its completion in 1998. An official said that the building was complete for use and all paraphernalia, including kitchenware and beddings, were provided, but these had to be shifted to Shogran hotel of the corporation later on. —Correspondent