Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the quarters concerned to ensure timely completion of all the projects initiated with regard to tourism development including construction of access roads to tourist sites.
He particularly directed for immediate release of funds required for timely completion of the improvement and construction of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium Peshawar and stated that this was the mega project of provincial government which should be completed within the stipulated timeline at all cost.
He also directed for well trained tourism operators in accordance with the needs of local, national and international tourists and made it clear that integrated development of tourism was one of the top most priority areas of incumbent government for which all the concerned departments would have to fulfill their responsibilities well in time. He was presiding over a meeting of tourism department at Chief Minister House Peshawar on Monday. Special Assistant to CM on Information Kamran Bangash, Chief Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz, Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir, Secretary Tourism Abid Majeed and other concerned high officials attended the meeting.
The meeting was briefed about the overall progress made so far in tourism sector and told that work orders for the construction of access roads to tourist sites in Hazara and Malakand division have been issued. All the access roads would be completed within the stipulated timelines. An initiative with regard to capacity building of Hospitality Industry and tour operators was also underway for which hiring of staff, procurement of equipments and training would be completed during current financial year. Similarly, work is also in progress on the establishment of tourism facilitation centres and rest areas at Abbottabad, Swat and Mansehra whereas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Impact Challenge Program has already been completed under the youth development package.
It was further told that under this project, five Jawan Marakiz had been established and issue of land acquisition for the establishment of remaining 15 Jawan Marakiz had been taken up with the concerned deputy commissioners. Briefing about the progress on improvement and construction of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium Peshawar, the meeting was informed that 85% of work on seating structure, hostel and pavilion buildings and toilet blocks had been completed while work on the provision of other facilities and improvement of ground was in progress.
