20000326

Measures taken

to develop

NWFP

tourism potential

PESHAWAR: NWFP government has taken measures to develop tourism potential of the province and providing better tourist facilities.

This was stated by Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gillani, NWFP Minister for Education and Tourism in an interview. He said so far the provincial authorities had concentrated on promoting domestic tourism utilising the existing infrastructure, including government rest houses and other buildings.

They have also made efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the province. The government was now keen to improve infrastructure and provide clean environment to the tourists, the minister said.

"Durable policies will be implemented in this regard and measures are being taken to encourage active involvement of the private sector. NWFP government is also discussing with the German government as well as with several other entrepreneurs," he added.

Gillani said cultural heritage would be used in order to attract both foreign and domestic tourists. In this connection, a number of proposals have been discussed for the preservation of Ghandhara heritage at Peshawar.

Steps are also underway for the preservation of Ghandhara ruins in Swat, Bunar, Mardan, Mansehra, Chitral, Bannu and other far-flung areas of the province.

According to him the government is now thinking of setting up galleries and museums on Ghandhara sites instead of shifting the antiques and monuments to other places.

Replying to a question, he said Kelash culture was not only a reality but could also be considered an identity of three different valleys in the Chitral district. The government is working on proposals for the preservation and promotion of Kelash culture. Steps are being taken for developing communication links between Kelash Valley and rest of the country.

He said government would welcome foreign entrepreneurs and governments to join hands with NWFP authorities in promoting and preserving Kelash culture by adopting modern facilities at the community's door step.

Attention is also being paid to Khyber Steam Safari, which is a unique tourist attraction. Currently, the train is running on a weekly basis between Peshawar and Landikotal, and could be made a daily feature in the light of positive response from tourists, the minister stated.ÑPPI