The parliamentarians of Jamiat Ulema Islam (F) have been asked to gather information about privatisation of PTDC hotels and motels and take up the issue in parliament. "We all need to discuss privatisation of PTDCs hotels and motels in the parliament," Maulana Fazlur Rahman, chief of JUI said on Thursday.
Ministry of Tourism and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) arranged a comprehensive briefing for parliamentarians of the Party to apprise them of details in this regard.
Also present, among others, were Minister for Tourism Maulana Atta ur Rahman, Secretary Tourism Ali Arif, MD PTDC Faqeer Idrees, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator Talha Mehmood, Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar. Briefing the delegation, Secretary Tourism informed that ministry of tourism was facing funds shortage that was impeding completion of certain projects.
Ali Arif said the budgetary allocation earmarked for the ministry of tourism in PSDP was too small to complete the projects. He stressed the need for enhancing funds for the ministry to effectively tap countrys immense potential. He also informed the meeting about damage done to tourism industry in Swat in the wake of militancy.
PTDC Managing Director, Faqeer Idrees said the corporation was struggling for survival in the prevailing situation when tourism in the country was grounded to complete halt. "We are having worst time we have ever had in the past," he added. The MD sought feedback as well as support by parliamentarians to steer the corporation out of crisis.
He, however, said hard times had taught a big lesson to them and they were able to chalk out more prudent policies. "We are taking steps to figure out the problems," he said. Maulana Atta ur Rahman said he was cognisant of the importance of tourism, and was according priority to this vital sector for several reasons: boosting countrys soft image abroad, generating employment opportunities and reducing poverty.
"Tourism has backbone value for the countrys economy," he observed. The minister urged that Pakistans fabulous tourism sector had the potential to take on all of its economic woes provided it was effectively tapped and marketed. "Offering four-season tourism opportunities, we are unique country in the world."
Maulana Atta said besides improving the existing destinations, government would explore new sites in NWFP, Balochistan and Punjab. He called for a well-maintained law and order to boost countrys rich tourism industry. "Volatile security situation would prove detrimental to our tourism which is already confronted with such issues."
The Minister suggested developing a scenic site, Paniyala, near D.I.Khan. Located some 30 km off D.I.Khan, Paniyala is blessed with fabulous natural beauty-gardens, date palms, fountains, mountains and tremendous flora and fauna. Also at short distance from Paniyala lies 4100-feet high Sheikh Badin peak, which is a great source of entertainment for the locals.
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