MANSEHRA: Local PTI MPA Munir Hussain Lughmani on Thursday urged the government not to impose taxes that could adversely affect the business community in Kaghan Valley.
“We will present a comprehensive report to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur before the assembly’s budget session, recommending to limit tourism-related levies to just 45 days in Kaghan valley instead of six months,” Mr Lughmani told reporters in the Naran area.
Ali Asghar Tanoli, an office-bearer of the Hoteliers Association in Kaghan Valley, was also present.
Mr Lughmani said tourist activity in the Kaghan Valley spanned around 45 days annually, so tax policies should be based on the ground realities.
Local MPA says he’ll present report on matter to CM
“Hoteliers told me that there should be a comprehensive tourism policy for the Kaghan Valley to attract people both from within the country and abroad,” he said.
The MPA said that a meeting, chaired by the chief minister’s adviser on tourism and attended by lawmakers, departmental heads and secretaries, had decided to prioritise the promotion of tourism throughout the province, especially in the Hazara and Malakand divisions.
“I have also visited the offices of the Kaghan Development Authority and issued instructions for the reopening of all link roads blocked due to snowfall and landslides, install streetlights and construct pedestrian pavements,” Mr Lughmani said.
He added that the government would support the KDA in generating revenue to improve visitor services and launch further development projects.
“I’ve directed them to clear Manoor Road, Daram Road, Kamal Ban Road and other link roads still closed due to snow and landslides and ensure their reopening as soon as possible,” he said.
windstorm: A boy was killed when his house’s outer wall collapsed during a windstorm here on Friday.
The windstorm, followed by light rain, caused a power outage in Mansehra city and its suburbs.
The incident occurred in the Baffa Mera area, with its victim being identified as Mohammad Usman, 9.
Residents pulled the boy out of the debris and shifted him to the civil hospital Baffa, where doctors pronounced him dead.
The storm, which brought strong winds and dust, left many areas in complete darkness for several hours.
Residents said trees were uprooted in the hilly areas, but no further loss of life was reported in other parts of the district.
Meanwhile, three houses were destroyed after a large fire engulfed the entire area in the Battal area.
The reason for fire was unknown.
The blaze, which broke out in the house of Sharif Shah, ripped through the neighbouring houses, reducing goods, cash and valuables to ashes. Some residents received minor injuries while fleeing their houses.
The people put out the fire after a hectic effort of three hours. They urged authorities to extend financial assistance to owners of the affected houses.
Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025