MANSEHRA: The tourism police’s personnel will be deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the coming Eid holidays, said adviser to the chief minister on culture and tourism Zahid Chanzeb on Tuesday.

He told reporters that the deployment of the tourism police at tourist attractions would come after the extension of their employment contracts.

Mr Chanzeb said the government was committed to promoting tourism by exploring more and more tourist attractions in the province.

“We have not only extended the employment contract of the tourism police’s personnel but also approved the provision of more motorcycles to them for effective patrolling and service delivery in Kaghan Valley, Nathiagali, and other tourist places in the province,” he said.

CM aide says employment contracts of personnel extended

The aide to the CM said a huge influx of visitors was expected in tourist areas of the province and parts of the country, and therefore, a strategy had been developed to provide them with better services.

“We’re striving to increase tourist arrivals in our province by developing infrastructure and offering incentives to the tourist industry,” he said.

Mr Chanzeb said he had also directed the commandant of the tourism police to visit tourist places across the provinceand check security and other arrangements for visitors.

“We have published brochures and pamphlets to guide tourists and people affiliated with the hospitality industry in the province and directed officials to ensure the distribution of that stuff among hotels, educational institutions, students, and tourists,” he said.

The aide to the CM said contractual employees could stay in the department only if their performance was found to be up to par.

Meanwhile, traffic police chief inspector Mudassar Zia said on Tuesday that extra personnel were deployed to ensure a smooth flow of vehicular traffic in Mansehra city and its adjoining areas.

“We have developed a comprehensive plan to ensure interrupted traffic during the remaining Ramazan days and on Eidul Fitr,” Mr Zia told reporters here.

He said traffic wardens were deployed in areas that were witnessing higher vehicular flow due to the arrival of shoppers in markets for the imminent Eid festival.

The police chief said drivers were warned and fined for violations of traffic rules.

“We are in contact with the tehsil municipal officer for a crackdown on handcarts and other encroachments from outside the shops in our city and its suburbs,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2024