PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to declare three tourist spots as integrated tourism zones for promotion of tourism in the province.

The tourist spots include Ghanool in Mansehra, Mankyal in Swat and Madaklasht in Lower Chitral.

The approval was accorded in the first meeting of Provincial Tourism Strategy Board held here on Tuesday with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair, according to a statement. The matter would be presented before provincial cabinet for final approval.

Provincial cabinet members Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Ishtiaq Urmar, Chief Secretary Dr Shehzad Bangash, Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, administrative secretaries of relevant departments and other members of the board attended the meeting.

CM says promotion of tourism to stabilise local economy

The meeting was informed that Ghanol Integrated Tourism Zone would consist of an area of 489 kanals whereas Mankyal and Madaklasht zones would comprise 450 kanals and 500 kanals, respectively.

Section-4 of the Land Acquisition Act has been imposed on the land identified for newly approved integrated tourism zones. The land acquisition process has also been started.

Suitable site has also been identified for another integrated tourism zone in Thandiani area of Abbottabad. After fulfilling formalities, this site would also be declared as integrated tourism zone.

The participants of the meeting were informed that master plans of the said integrated tourism zones had been prepared. In the next phase, management plans would be prepared for these integrated tourism zones.

The meeting was told that the integrated tourism zones would be presented in Dubai Expo 2020 in order to attract foreign investment.

Addressing the participants of the meeting, the chief minister directed the quarters concerned to ensure preparation of regulations for the integrated tourism zones within the next two months.

He directed them to ensure protection of natural environment including forests and rivers. He said that management plan for the integrated tourism zones should be completed as soon as possible.

The chief minister said that government was working under integrated strategy to promote tourism as industry in the province.

He added that it would stabilise the local economy and provide job opportunities to people.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2022