PESHAWAR, May 14: The Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) has launched the country’s first ferry service in public sector between its newly-renovated Kund Rest House and Attock in Abaseen River, commonly known as Indus River.

Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti inaugurated the Abaseen Ferry Service on Saturday and took a round in the ferry. He also saw the renovated rest house where a special gallery showcases the Attock and Kund region’s history through rare vintage images.

Praisng the initiative, the chief minister said that the government might hand over more rest houses to the TCKP for tourism promotion. He said that budget for the tourism sector would be increased in the next fiscal so that tourism in the terrorism-hit province could be revived.

He said that the government had allocated Rs140 million for the reconstruction of roads destroyed by the last year’s floods to ensure smooth travel to the scenic places such as Madyan and Kalaam.

Speaking to media persons, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered huge losses in the fight against terrorism, but the government was committed to revival of tourism and culture.About Pak-US relations in the backdrop of Abbottabad incident, he said that Pakistan should review its relations with the US and in future the relations between the two countries should be based on equality.

Earlier, project director Iqbal Shaheen gave technical and historical details of the Abaseen ferry project, started with a cost of Rs7.6 million.

Named after the two main characters of an old Pashto folklore romance, Esap Khan and Sherbano respectively, the two ferries would be run as part of the Abaseen Ferry Service. The ferries will ply between the TCKP’s Kund Rest House and Attock through a river area steeped in the romance of history. Live narration, onboard refreshments and photography opportunities will make this journey an unforgettable experience for tourists, said Mr Shaheen.

These ferries were constructed from hulls of fiber glass bought at Karachi Fish Harbour. Each redesigned ferry has a capacity of 30-40 passengers on top and lower decks. With front to back span of 35 feet, each boat is equipped with a 160HP engine, marine gear and brass propeller. For passengers’ onboard toilet, air-conditioning and refreshments have been provided, said Mr Shaheen.

The visitor’s would be taken for a complete one round of five kilometers from the scenic Kund Rest House to Baradariat Attock Fort (Rest Area) and back.

This round of 20 about over an hour would show the visitors the historic region of Attock, which lies at the confluence of Kabul River and Indus River.

About the location for ferry service, Mr Shaheen said that great leaders, conquerors and emperors who left a mark on the history had passed through here. In 326 BC, Alexander the Great crossed the Indus on a bridge of boats built by his aide Hephaestion at a nearby site called Hund where a stone column in Greek style has recently been built to honour the great conqueror, he said.

Mughal emperor Akbar the Great built the grand Attock Fort in 1581 AD. It stands majestically by the side of the Indus and runs two miles in circumference.The ferry service tickets for adults would be Rs250 and school students would be offered discount. It would also be available for special booking for Rs15,000 an hour.

Some of the participant, including girl students, also enjoyed ride on the scooters. More attractions such as fishing and water sports will also be added in near future, the project director said.