PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority on Friday advertised 19 government rest houses in different parts of the province for the purpose of leasing them out to private parties.

The expressions of interest seeking potential bidders for leasing the rest houses were issued on Friday with the bids likely to be opened on June 29.

In Aug 2019, the government had handed over 169 rest houses of different departments in the province to the tourism department to promote tourism and increase tourist facilities on the directives of the prime minister.

Officials told Dawn that the tourism department initially conducted a survey of 169 rest houses handed over to it by various departments, and categorised them for outsourcing in different phases.

They said that of 169 rest houses, 47 were ready for operationalisation in the first phase, 80 required major repairs, while the others were occupied by different government departments.

Expressions of interest seeking potential bidders issued

The officials said a technical committee headed by the finance minister during its first meeting on March 6, 2020, decided to advertise those properties for outsourcing to the private sector.

They said that the first advertisement for the leasing of 48 rest houses for a period of 10 years and it was published on Aug 17, 2020.

An official said that after evaluation, no bid was found to be completing technical requirements.

He said that 84 rest houses, which required minor repairs, were also advertised but initially, no party could meet technical qualifications.

The official said that in the meanwhile, the government also transferred five other rest houses in Nathiagali, including Governor’s House, Chief Minister’s House, Karnak House, Police Rest House and Hamala House, to the tourism department for outsourcing.

He said that the authority advertised the Karnak House and Police Rest House on Jan 11, 2021.

The official said that 14 firms applied for the bidding of the Karnak House.

He said that the highest bid quoted by Rockwood Resort was Rs4,650,000 and the award of contract was scheduled for May 10, 2021.

The official said that for the Police Rest House, 11 firms took part in the bidding and the highest bid was quoted Apical Ways at Rs6,450,000.

He said that the award of contract was scheduled for May 10.

The official said the 19 rest houses were advertised today for leasing out to private parties and their pre-bid meeting was likely to take place on May 26, while the technical bid would open on June 28.

He added that the bid evaluation report was due to appear by July 12, while the financial bid opening was likely to take place on July 28.

The official said the tentative award of contract would take place on August 10.

He said that 28 rest houses were re-advertised on Feb 1, 2021, and 11 firms took part in the bidding.

The official said that the 28 rest houses were in the process, which was likely to be finalised after Eid holidays.

He said that the Hamala Rest House was advertised for lease on May 6, its technical bid would open on June 24 and the tentative award of contract was likely to take place at the start of August.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2021