Keeping in view the upcoming tourist season, KP Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak, has directed the administration and police for taking more effective measures for the security and guidance of tourists. He also directed for steps to develop tourism further and restoration of public confidence in administration.
He directed Galyat Development Authority (GDA) for posting additional staff, for traffic control and better arrangements for health and cleanliness facilities so that tourists do not face even minor grievances.
He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of GDA.The meeting reviewed in detail agenda, problems and authorities' related problems and other matters.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Local Government & Rural Development, Inayatullah, Advisor to Chief Minister on Economic Affairs, Rafaqatullah Babar, local MPA Sardar Mohammad Idrees, Additional Chief Secretary, Khalid Pervez, Commissioner Hazara, DIG Hazara, Director GDA, Nazar Hussain Shah and administrative secretaries of the departments concerned.
Pervez was told that regarding his directives for getting the official rest houses repaired the dilapidated rest house of Khanaspur had been leased out on Rs 1.5 million per year and it would be constructed on the basis of its map and master plan while the amount of the lease will also be increased.
He stressed on the need for adoption of such profitable actions for all government rest houses to prevent these from becoming white-elephants and instead of limiting their use for specified people they should also be open to general public.
He also approved the plan for beautification of highways and roads of Galyat with the co-operation of private companies and construction of quality rest houses.
On the proposal of local MPA Sardar Idrees, the chief minister directed increase in the rent of different spots, on the basis of their location, to the limit that local people feel no burden in payments.
Similarly, for removing of encroachments in Galyat and improvement in cleanliness, he directed Commissioner Hazara and GDA for taking the local people into confidence in the leadership of Sardar Idrees and other public representatives to get better results.
He also directed for opening of more banks branches, in these areas, along with ATM facilities so that people need not go to Murree or Abbottabad.
He said that all buildings in Galyat should be constructed and repaired on the basis of building code and every building should have parking facilities. He also directed for providing water connections to all houses and bazaars, installation of filtration plants at important spots and for storage of rain water to resolve this crucial problem on permanent bases. The chief minister said that payment of water and other taxes would be made obligatory on all domestic and commercial buildings to keep the process of development continued.