“From Terrorism to Tourism”, KP Govt Unveils New Strategy to Showcase Natural Beauty, Buddhist Sites
Barrister Dr. Saif Slams Federal Govt for Stalling KP’s Peace Talks with Afghanistan, Hindering Tourism Revival
Peshawar: Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, has said that the provincial government is taking practical measures to promote tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the province is blessed with natural beauty, lofty mountains, lush valleys, and historic as well as religious sites which make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Addressing the ceremony held at the University of Peshawar on the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Advisor said that the present government has framed its policy under the vision of “From Terrorism to Tourism”, which reflects the vision of PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan. He said that in the past, terrorism and extremism damaged the image of the province, but today, due to effective government measures and public cooperation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is once again becoming a safe and peaceful region for tourism.
Barrister Dr. Saif said that, alongside the promotion of adventure tourism, religious tourism is also being given special importance. The historical sites of Gandhara civilization, Buddhist relics, and other religious heritage have exceptional attraction for international tourists. Likewise, regions such as Kalam Valley, Kumrat, Galiyat, Naran, and others are globally recognized centers of natural beauty and adventure tourism.
He further said that the provincial government has resolved to make tourism a key engine of economic growth through the establishment of new tourism zones, improvement of tourism infrastructure, road construction and rehabilitation, and active involvement of the private sector. The promotion of tourism will not only create new employment opportunities but also strengthen the province’s economy.
The Advisor urged students and teachers to play their role in projecting the positive image of the province. He said the youth are ambassadors of the province, and through the promotion of tourism, they can showcase the real and beautiful face of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the world.
He reiterated that the provincial government is utilizing all available resources to realize the vision of transforming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a land of peace and tourism instead of terrorism.
Later, while responding to questions from media representatives, Barrister Dr. Saif said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who calls himself a “global prime minister,” has, in reality, become the country’s premier through Form-47 and lacks a genuine public mandate. He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have always placed their trust in Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and this trust will continue in the future.
Referring to the recent meeting of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur with Imran Khan, Barrister Dr. Saif said the meeting was pleasant. During the discussion, Imran Khan directed the Chief Minister to further improve the performance of provincial departments. Matters related to ministers’ performance and other governmental affairs were also discussed in detail.
Barrister Dr. Saif further said that the provincial government has formally sent Terms of Reference (TORs) to the federal government for initiating dialogue with Afghanistan in order to improve peace and security, but the federal government is not granting approval. He stressed that dialogue with Afghanistan is extremely important for ensuring lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said it is unfortunate that while Maryam Nawaz faces no restrictions on her foreign trips, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, is not being allowed to undertake essential and crucial talks with Afghanistan. He urged the federal government to take this matter seriously, emphasizing that engagement with Afghanistan is indispensable for sustainable peace in the province.