PESHAWAR, June 11: The Pakistan Railways and a private firm have signed an agreement to conserve heritage and promote tourism in the region, according to a senior official. The agreement was signed by Divisional Superintendent (DS) of Pakistan Railways (Peshawar) Shafiq Ullah and Managing Director of Sehrai Rail Tours Zahoor Durrani at a ceremony held here recently.

Speaking at a press conference at the Railways divisional office here on Saturday, Mr Shafiq Ullah said that the association between Pakistan Railways and Sehrai Rail Tours was an endeavour to create opportunities of recreation and tourism through the conservation of heritage.

He said that several steps would be taken to conserve heritage and promote tourism in the region to attract not only the local visitors but also foreign tourists.

For that purpose, he added, Attock Khurd railways station would be renovated and converted into a picnic point, Landi Kotal railway station converted into a visiting place for foreign tourists, the Khyber Steam Safari train having three locomotives made more attractive and rest houses at the two railway stations upgraded, where tourists would be provided facilities offered by a three star hotel.

He said that the visitors at the two railway stations would be charged Rs25 and that amount would be spent on their maintenance. Income obtained from the rest houses would be distributed between the railway and the company.

The Sehrai Rail Tours, which runs the Khyber Steam Safari between Peshawar and Landi Kotal, would also run special trains from Peshawar to Attock Khurd, Nowshera to Dargai and Attock to Basal.

A tourism centre would be established at Peshawar Cantonment railway station, the DS said and added that they were also working on a proposal to set up a rail museum at Landi Kotal railway station.

Mr Shafiq Ullah said that they had also discussed a proposal to establish a monetary fund under the auspices of the ministry of railways, float shares and invite local and foreign contributions and membership for the promotion of the Khyber Railways through preservation of its infrastructure, steam mechanism and vintage carriages.