ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is considering converting Pir Sohawa into a tourist spot which would become an alternative to Murree.

A number of restaurants and hotels will be established to attract tourists from within and outside the country as Pir Sohawa is one of the most peaceful areas of the country.

The decision was taken during a visit to the area by CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari.

Mr Ahmed termed Daman-i-Koh, Pir Sohawa and adjoining areas a rare gift of God for Islamabad.

He issued instructions to various directorates to establish more hotels and restaurants for tourists in the area. He also directed them to pay special attention on cleanliness of the area besides increasing the number of sanitation staff and installing additional bins.

The CDA chairman said it was the responsibility of the civic agency to take care of the greenery and ensure cleanliness of the area.

“This area has the status of a tourist destination not only for residents of the capital city but also for the whole country and abroad,” he said. Giving instructions to the Road Maintenance Department, he said work on repairing, carpeting and lane marking in Daman-i-Koh should be completed as soon as possible.

Officers of Road Maintenance, Sanitation, Environment, Streetlights and other departments were also present.

An official of the CDA added that Pir Sohawa is one of the most beautiful areas of the federal capital and most of the dignitaries visiting Islamabad were taken there.Pir Sohawa is a rapidly developing tourist resort located on top of Margalla Hills.

According to official website of the CDA, the Margallas are a series of hills located in the north of Islamabad. These hills are an excellent site for hiking.

The best season to hike here is the mild winter months when there is less rain and the days are extremely pleasant. Interesting places here are Daman-i-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Gokeena, Mount Happiness and Loh-i-Dandi.

The area is also home to a number of wild animals such as barking deer, wild boars, Asiatic leopard, chinkara, red fox, leopard and jackals.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2020