QUETTA: The chief minister of Balochistan has directed officials to come up with a comprehensive plan to help and extend maximum facilities to tourists at recreational sites to promote tourism in the province.

Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri said that the province had a number of great recreational spots that would attract local and foreign visitors.

Speaking at a meeting to review development of tourist resorts in Ziarat, the chief minister explained that by providing tourists and visitors with proper facilities, tourism could be supported in the area.

The chief minister regretted that the province’s recreational sites had been neglected and said that it was imperative to develop these areas to improve tourism. “We have the world’s second largest juniper forests in Ziarat and Harboi, besides a long coastal belt, Hanna Lake, Hazarganji National Park and many other beautiful places,” he said, adding that these places were assets of the province and needed to be developed to attract tourists.

Chief Minister Zehri ordered officials concerned to prepare a master development plan for Ziarat which was similar to Murree. He called for an early implementation of the development package announced by the federal government in Ziarat.

“A large number of people from across the country come to Ziarat on Eid and other festivals,” he said, adding that the officials should ensure all facilities were available in the area to attract more tourists.

He also reviewed the installation of the chairlift in Ziarat, reconstruction of roads and footpaths in the city along with water and other development projects.Provincial minister Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, provincial adviser Mir Muhammad Khan Lehri, MPA Tahir Mahmood Khan, Deputy Mayor Younis Baloch and Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Muhammad Daud Bareach were also present at the meeting.

Mr Ziaratwal claimed that the development package announced by federal government three years back had not been implemented yet. He said that if the projects announced under the development package were implemented, then provision of all facilities in Ziarat would be ensured.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2016