Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP CM Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said the promotion of sport, culture and tourism in the province is a top priority of the incumbent government, adding that the development of these activities will not only promote healthy activities, but it will also contribute significantly to the provincial treasury.
According to the details, a total of 124 projects, of which 90 are ongoing and 34 new, worth approximately Rs 19.5 billion, have been reflected in the current provincial annual development program (ADP) in the sports sectors, tourism, youth, archeology and culture.
These projects also include several newly merged district development programs worth Rs 2.5 billion. In the current year, 38 projects will be completed with the aim of equipping the inhabitants of the province with modern sports and tourist facilities.
In a statement released here on Sunday by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Mahmood Khan said that according to the vision of PTI President Imran Khan, results-oriented measures are being taken to promote the tourism and sports sector on modern lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. New sports complex construction projects in Chitral, Lower Dir, Hangu and Abbottabad are included in the current ADP, in addition to the rehabilitation and improvement of existing sports facilities in the province.
The prime minister said several projects worth billions of rupees are part of the current KP CM to increase the province’s tourism potential.
Regarding the government initiatives over the past four years in the field of sports and tourism, Mahmood Khan said the provincial government in charge has established the first of its kind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture & Tourism Authority to promote tourism internationally and improve the positive image of the country and province project.
In addition to three new development authorities (Kalash, Kumrat and Upper Swat), three have also been established. Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the province, the “Tourism Police” was launched for the protection and safety of tourists. He noted that rehabilitation and construction of roads in tourist spots in Malakand and Hazara region are also underway, while camping huts have been set up in various tourist spots for the convenience of tourists.
Similarly, a project to create four integrated tourism zones in Malakand and Hazara Divisions has been initiated, which when completed would boost tourism-related activities in the province. In addition to the development of existing tourist attractions, the discovery and development of new sites is also underway.
Mahmood Khan said steps were also being taken in the tourism sector to provide young people with state-of-the-art facilities and train them for international competition. After the creation of playgrounds at the district and tehsil level, another project to create sports facilities at the union council level has also been started. For the first time in the history of the province, the current Kalam Provincial Government will construct an international standard cricket stadium which will have an extended playing season.
