Malam Jabba resort closed after PHC bars entry fee collection
Staff Reporter Islamabad
The Malam Jabba Ski Resort announced on Saturday that it is closing its operations after the Peshawar High Court barred it from collecting entry fees.
Activities such as chairlift, zipline, and skiing have been closed, the management said in a statement, adding that decision has been taken as “it is no longer possible to run the resort profitably.”
The management reportedly charged tourists Rs300 for entry to the resort and nearby areas.
“The amount earned from all the activities and entry is used to maintain the resort” and pay salaries of 500 employees, they said.
“The resort management has given a lot to the locals, and provided employment opportunities.”
On March 16, 2021 Swat lawyers had filed a case in the Peshawar High Court Mingora Bench against the “exorbitant” fees charged by the management.
Meanwhile, National Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) Chairman Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari Saturday regretted closure of Malam Jabba ski resort during the peak of tourism season.
In a tweet, he said it would disrupt plans of many tourists, who had planned to visit the one of best travel destination of the country just before the holy month of Ramazan.
“Unfortunate to see one of our best resorts close down at the peak of tourism season. This upsets many people’s plans just days away from Ramazan.. the last thing Pakistan’s booming tourism industry needs right now is disruptiveness,” Zulfikar Bukhari, who is also Prime Minister’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, tweeted.
