Contrary to its tall claims for developing tourism industry in Pakistan the finance division has not included any major project in the Public Sector Development Programmes (PSDP) for 2005-06. Business Recorder learnt here on Wednesday that in the recent "Priority Committee Meeting" held on Monday, the finance division has shown its inability to add any new major project of tourism sector, in the upcoming PSDP, except provision of Rs 26 million for the five ongoing motel projects and two new small projects.
Sources said that as the PTDC motels were not competing with the private sector activity, the committee did not include the construction of six new motels in the upcoming PSDP.
The federal ministry of tourism proposed nine new projects with an estimated cost of Rs 250.923 million, but the committee has given approval for two small projects costing Rs 9.890 million.
Sources also said that five projects of provincial government of NWFP with an estimated cost of Rs 292 million were also not approved.
The two projects, which were approved by the committee, are, developing of a web-site for the tourism for Rs 5 million, whereas Rs 2 million for tourism research publication.
The new projects which were not considered by the finance division are: Camping Site Islamabad at estimated cost (Rs 39.758 million) with current demand (Rs 18.698 million), motel at Nankana Sahib Shiekhupura (Rs 23.661 million) with demand (Rs 7.119), construction of Aiwan-e-Sayahat at PTDC head office Islamabad cost (Rs 37.223 million) with initial demand (Rs 2.0 million), motel at Gorakh Hill Dadu cost (Rs 34.436 million) with initial demand (Rs 1.0 million), motel at Takht-e-Sulaiman (Rs 31.132 million) for which current demand was (Rs 0.7 million) and motel at Muzaffarabad (AJK) estimated cost (Rs 34.912 million) and current demand (Rs 8.360 million).
The five new provincial projects which were also not approved are: restoration of Sheikh Badin as summer resort with estimated cost (Rs 53.00 million) and current demand (Rs 1.0 million), tourism facilitation centre at various locations cost (Rs 96 million) with demand (Rs 1.0 million), development of Mumrat as tourist resort (Rs 58 million), remodelling of Ayubia skiing resort (Rs 15 million) demand (Rs 1.0 million) and skiing resort at Shogran estimated cost (Rs 70 million) with demand (Rs 5.0 million).
The ongoing projects for which the finance division has agreed to finance for THEIR COMPLETION ARE: road side facilities at Astak (Rs 0.745 million), motel at Bonni Chitral (Rs 3.422 million), reception unit at Chamman (Rs 0.551 million), restaurant at Hawks Bay (Rs 2.203 million) and Rs 17.119 million for motel at Baran Kalay (Baffar).
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