KARACHI, Feb 7: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has stressed the need to develop tourist spots in the province saying the province has a great potential for tourism as it possesses natural spots , historical sites and ancient monuments.

Addressing a meeting at the Governor's House on tourism, which was also attended by Federal Minister of State for Tourism Raees Muneer Ahmad and Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Malik Mohammed Habib Khan, the governor said nature had given Sindh a beautiful coastal line and Keenjhar Lake which could be developed into a modern tourist attraction with joint efforts by the federal and the provincial governments.

Some other important sites which could be developed are Moenjo Daro, Ranikt (the largest fort in the world) Kirthar Range, Gorakh Hills and Kot Diji.

The governor said different international forums had shown keen interest in investment in tourism projects.

The governor directed the departments concerned to prepare a comprehensive programme in that respect. He also instructed them to prepare a detailed programme by the mid of next month for developing Keenjhar Lake into a standard tourist spot.

Stressing the need to take a lesson from the last tragedy at Keenjhar where many lives were lost, he called for ensuring life protection measures including deployment of life guards and provision of life jackets on all tourist spots.

Earlier, Mr Raees Muneer Ahmad appreciated the facilities being provided at Hawkes Bay for promoting tourism. He assured the provincial government of full cooperation of the federal government in its efforts for developing Keenjhar Lake into a standard tourist spot.

In this connection, the minister of state apprised the meeting of the federal programme and said that many foreign investors had shown interest in developing natural spots into attractions for tourists.

He said there was an urgent need to address the issue and develop a viable plan of action. He said that coastal belt of Sindh and its historical places would be made an attraction for tourism. He called for a comprehensive and joint strategy by the ministry of culture and tourism, the Sindh government and the PTDC in that regard. He also suggested construction of hotels along the coast and said that headway be made on the amusement park project.

He appreciated the efforts and keen interest of the governor for promotion of tourism in the province.

The minister also raised the issue of the huts built by the federal government at the Keenjhar Lake taken on lease by the provincial government.

He said there were an outstanding dues of Rs2.5 million against the Sindh government on that account, and if the provincial government was not in a position to clear the dues the huts should be returned to the federal government.

The minister and the MD PTDC also met the President National Bank, Syed Ali Raza, and sought the bank's cooperation for the development of Keenjhar Lake, Hawksbay and tourist resort Golra.

Mr Raza observed that promotion of tourism would serve as the source for economic development and the National Bank would extend every cooperation in that regard.