KARACHI, May 21: The Sindh government has started a weekly bus service to Keenjhar Lake in Thatta. Two buses of the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation will leave for Keenjhar Lake at 9am on Saturday and Sunday.

These announcements were made by the Sindh minister for culture and tourism, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, at a news conference on Saturday afternoon.

He explained that the STDC had formulated three commercial packages for tourists going to Keenjhar Lake.

Formerly called Kalri Lake, Keenjhar Lake is about 32km long and 10km wide. In the middle of the lake stands the tomb of Noori, a fishergirl from Mohana tribe who married King Jam Tamachi of Sammah dynasty.

According to Mr Qaimkhani, a one-day excursion to Keenjhar Lake resort — with visits to Chaukandi tombs, Bhambore ruins, Makli graveyard and Shahjehan mosque thrown in — would cost a tourist Rs300 if he had refreshments only. But if the tourist opted for lunch, the same package would cost him Rs500. He said that an overnight stay at the lake would cost a tourist Rs1,000. He hoped that many families would avail themselves of the packages offered by the provincial government during the summer vacations.

Later, Mr Qaimkhani left for Keenjhar Lake where the world culture day will be celebrated on Saturday evening.