ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has constituted a task force to oversee revival of tourism infrastructure in the quake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP. The task force is headed by minister for tourism and its members included PM’s special assistant, minister for industries, state ministers for finance, environment, Railways and tourism. Tourism specialists and architects from the private sector will also be included in the task force.

Addressing a meeting, the prime minister said for economic revival and rehabilitation it is essential to facilitate tourism activities aggressively in the affected areas to ensure business for the coming summer.

Mr Aziz said to prevent threats to the environment it is critical to bring back tourism as soon as possible. The PM said development of tourism infrastructure would lead to income generation and resumption of normal life activities in these areas.

During the meeting various new initiatives were proposed by the ministry of tourism and it was decided to set up tent motels or pre-fab facilities at key locations like Naran and Bisham.

The proposal to set up a tourism training institute at Saidu Sharif, Swat, will be aggressively pursued. Skill training institutes at Balakot and Muzaffarabad will be set up for tour and trekking guides, and hotel staffs.