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Tourism Minister promises development

CHITRAL,14 May 08: Provincial minister for tourism, culture and sports Syed Aqil Shah has said that the destiny of the province can be changed by exploiting its tremendous potentials of tourism while Chitral is the paradise of tourists. Addressing a reception hosted in his honour here on Wednesday by the 'Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism' (CAMAT) at the Mountain Inn, he expressed his determination regarding the promotion of tourism in the area and said that he wanted to establish a landmark in the field of tourism in the province and to achieve this end he will go to any extent.

The minister announced to hold an international seminar on tourism in Chitral during the current season to find the ways and means to achieve the target. He said the representatives of all the embassies of different countries will be invited to the seminar along with the other stake holders on world and national levels. He said that after the deterioration of situation in the neighbouring districts,

Chitral is the only district is the only district where attention can be concentrated to promote tourism. He said that the provincial government will take over the federal government to hold the Shandur festival. The festival will be changed into an international event in its real terms and the tourists, both local and foreigners, will enjoy the polo festival on the highest polo ground of the world. Mr. Shah also announced to construct a sport complex in Chitral which will include a gymnasium and other sports facilities on modern lines and work on the project will commence by the end of June this year.

He also announced to extend full patronage to the game of polo in the district for which the district polo association will be linked with the national polo association. He said that he will not utter a word which he cannot fulfill being the follower of Bacha Khan and the sole aim of his party is to spread the message of fraternity, fellow feelings and love for all. Mr. Shah also announced to lead a delegation of Chitral to meet the prime minister to obtain more funds and facilities for the promotion of tourism, sports and culture in Chitral.

Addressing on the occasion, provincial minister for population welfare Salim Khan said that that Syed Aqil Shahs's first official visit anywhere being to Chitral shows how importance he is giving to the area. He said that Chitral has been neglected by the successive governments in all the sectors of development but especially in the fields of sports and tourism and it the time to make up the deprivations. He said that the rich Kalash culture must be preserved which is annihilating fast with the fast changing pace of time. Mr. Khan said that in a very short span of time the population of Kalash community has shrunk to only 3000 which was greater than 10 thousands just a few years ago. The managing director of Sarhad tourism corporation Mohammad Azam Khan also spoke on the occasion and described the potentials of tourism industry in the district.

Meanwhile new DCO Chitral Mustasim Billah took charge of office on Wednesday. His predecessor    Flt  Lt (r)  Kamran Rehman has been posted as PSO to Chief Minister NWFP. -- (Zahiruddin)