KOHAT: A tourist resort has been approved by converting Tanda Dam into Lake View Park while a hotel and restaurant would be set up in the existing rest house atop the nearby hill. The project would cost Rs130 million.

Giving details, MPA Ziaullah Bangash told this correspondent that earlier a USAID grant of Rs30 million had been set aside for the site, but now the plan was expanding and it would be executed through public-private partnership by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department. The communication and works department and the tehsil municipal administration have also been involved in the project, he said.

He said that final shape was given to the project at a formal meeting with the secretary tourism, Tariq Khan, and additional deputy commissioner, Kohat, and orders had been released for start of construction work by the C&W department.

He said that link roads from Shahpur, Kaloo China and Hangu road would be constructed for easy access to the resort.

A bird’s eye view of both the lake and the Kohat city is available from the existing rest house and the resort’s development would increase its beauty. The visitors would also be amused by the presence of migratory birds from Siberia and Afghanistan that come in flocks during winter.

There is also a wildlife park there. In addition, rest house would also be renovated and provided with seating and sightseeing arrangements.

WELFARE INITIATIVES: District police officer, Kohat, Javed Iqbal has said that all the public welfare initiatives launched by former provincial police chief Nasir Khan Durrani will continue under the new police chief.

He said this here the other day during his visit to the dispute resolution council and police assistance lines where he also witnessed the proceedings. He said that these institutions had been introduced in police by Mr Durrani during his tenure.

He said that the new police chief had decided to maintain the DRCs and PAL for out-of-court settlement of disputes.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2017