KOHAT: Work on development of the exotic summer resort of Samana in Hangu district has started, with reconstruction and widening of a major portion of the 22-kilometre road leading to the scenic spot having already been completed.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, Hangu additional deputy commissioner Fahadullah Khan said the project included improvement of the existing 22km road from Hangu to Samana, construction of a park, establishment of a motel, restaurants, small huts and dining areas.

He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority also planned construction of jogging and walking tracks and pools in the resort. He said the provincial government had earmarked Rs500 million for the project.

He said currently, there were rest houses of the communication and works department, a Governor’s Cottage, and a few rooms of the army, but not everybody could get permission to stay there for the night.

Mr Fahadullah said work on improvement of 15-kilometre road out of total 22km had already been completed, and the remaining seven kilometres would be completed soon.

He said that all the dangerous turns on the road had been removed for making the journey safe.

Mr Fahad said Samana received huge snowfall, attracting a large number of tourists from across the country. He said the resort was an ideal place to visit to in summer.

In a separate development, the Kohat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has called for using oil and gas royalty funds to promote commerce and industry for creating employment and strengthening the province’s economy.

KCCI president Arshad Hayat, vice-chairman Cantonment Board Mohsin Attique, founding president of KCCI Rasheed Paracha, and social worker Esar Ali Bangash demanded this during a meeting with regional coordinator of Oil and Gas Development Company, Mushfiq Paracha, a statement issued here on Monday said.

The participants noted that promotion of commerce and industry was the need of the hour for the area’s development.

The OGDC regional manager assured that the company would provide all-out support to promote entrepreneurship in the region.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2023