Sindh government reverses decision on PITHM upgradation

Sindh government has reversed its earlier decision to upgrade the Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM) as University, now it will remain only an institute, reliable sources told Business Recorder here on Wednesday. PITHM is ever first state-run-institute of hotel management, it became the property of Sindh government after the devolution of Federal Ministry of Tourism.
Federal government had notified the devolution of Tourism Ministry along with four other ministries in the first week of April 2011. Sources inside the tourism department told that authorities of provincial tourism department have decided that PITHM would function, as an institute and tourism department would apply for its affiliation with University of Karachi.
This decision was taken during a meeting of PITHM's Board held a few weeks back in the chair of former Secretary Tourism Pir Bux Bux Jamali, source said. Earlier, Tourism department had decided to upgrade the PITHM as University with establishment of its four campuses in Hyderabad, Benazir Bhuttoabad, Khairpur Mir's and Larkana district headquarters, sources said.
A committee had been formed in this regard comprising high level officials of the department which had drafted a bill, the provincial Law department had approved that copy of bill and it had to be tabled in Sindh Assembly for final approval but it could not happen, sources said.
"The copy of said draft of the bill available to Business Recorder also mentioned that Tourism department had proposed the name of PITHM as Zulifqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (ZABITHM) as well". Sindh government had placed a scheme about the establishment of four campuses of PITHM with total cost of Rs 100 million in Annual Development Program (ADP) 2011-12. Initially, Rs 10 million had been allocated in this regard, sources said. According to previous planning, Tourism department had to recruit more staff for all campuses, including the main university building in Karachi, sources added.