HARIPUR, Feb 28 NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani dispelled the impression that there was any reluctance on the part of the government pertaining to signing of the Swat agreement and maintained that the nation would soon hear good news in this regard.

This, the governor said, while speaking to newsmen at Khanpur Lake, where he inaugurated the two-day Khanpur Spring Festival 2009 on Saturday. The festival is jointly organised by the Sarhad Tourism Corporation and the District Government Haripur.

“As far as the peace agreement is concerned there is no reluctance on anybody`s part, neither the federal government nor the provincial government,” Owais Ghani said, adding that owing to the prevailing situation the government had to move forward step-by-step.

Evading the question of ramifications of prevailing political crisis in the country on the peace agreement and the provincial set up, the governor said much was spoken on the TV channels, so he need not to comment on that.

About the promotion of tourism in the province, he termed the festival water sports and ultra light sports as healthy activities aimed at developing the spirit of adventure and confidence among the youth.

Owais Ghani said that the government had planned to promote tourism in different parts of the province, particularly in Peshawar the foundation of ultra light sports club had been laid and the people of provincial capital would enjoy a similar festival within next six months.

About revival of tourism in Swat, the governor said, that the government had to wait till normalcy return to the valley. He said that the purpose of the activity was to entertain the people of NWFP who were the target communities in this regard.

Earlier, the governor enjoyed ferrying in the Khanpur Lake. The students of different universities, Pakistan Army, Hawks Club, Qazi`s Club and Adventure Club participated in the festival and exhibited their expertise in water sports and ultra light sports for the entertainment of people who attended the festival in large numbers.

Speaking to newsmen, the provincial secretary tourism, Azam Khan, told that the purpose of the event held for the first time in Haripur was three fold; “One was to remove the perception that Frontier as a whole has gone to the dogs,” adding that if there was unrest in Swat and Dir area there were a lot of other areas like Khanpur Lake, Lolusir Lake, Dodopat Lake, Galyat and other scenic areas, where the people could go and enjoy.

He said that his department was focusing on promotion of domestic tourism so that the people of down country could come, and this would subsequently encourage foreign tourists.

Azam Khan said that the other purpose of the festival was to encourage the students to step out and study from the nature directly.

He said that the tourism department had planned to hold such festivals on an annual basis.

Azam Khan said that the Sarhad Tourism department would also collaborate with the Haripur district government in organising Hazara Festival next month, while a trekking and hiking competition in Galyat was also on the cards.

Our Correspondent from Taxila adds Azam Khan said that the NWFP tourism industry had suffered $40 million in losses since 2002 due to terrorism and law and order situation in the province.