Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister invites artistes, singers to return to homes

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Syed Aqil Shah Wednesday invited all artistes and singers migrated from the province to foreign countries to return to their homes. He was speaking in the 'Guest Hour Programme' held under the auspices of Peshawar Press Club (PPC), he said that the provincial government had started revival of the cultural activities.
He said that the artistes and singers would be encouraged in the province for the promotion of cultural activities. He also announced that all old and aged artistes and sportsmen would be paid stipend to enable to carry routine matters of their lives. He called for inclusion of the Provincial Minister for Culture or Secretary Culture on decision making body on National Awards. He said that the provincial government will not tolerate injustice with the artistes and culture related personalities of the province.
The provincial minister said that arrangements for the facility of master degree in fine arts would be made shortly. He said that the provincial government would finance even those who are interested in getting PhD in the fine arts. Syed Aqil Shah said that the provincial government is remapping the province to prepare strategy for the promotion of tourism and besides locals also attract foreign tourists. He said that the provincial government is making efforts for the revival of the tourism. He said that 70 percent of the tourism in Pakistan is carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and remaining 30 percent in other provinces.
He said that under 18th Constitutional Amendment though the ministry of tourism had devolved to the province, but the properties were handed over. He said that he had rejected such kind of devolution. The provincial minister said that Shandur Festival had been arranged twice since the establishment of the present government and preparations have been made for holding of the event in the current year. During current year, he said Kaghan Mela would be held in first week and Swat Mela in last week of the June 2011.
Similarly, he said that Khanpur Water Sports Festival will also be held besides organising events of the traditional sports of different districts and winners will be provided prizes. He said that Landaki-Kalam Road, Kalam-Osho and Kalam Mahudhand Roads would be constructed to promote tourism, saying that construction of resorts have been planned at Mahudhand and Thandiani, Abbottabad.
Regarding archeological tourism, the provincial minister said that the province has rich cultural heritage and will work on the development of the old relics. He said that with the devolution of the Ministry a large number of historic sites have been handed over to the provincial government. He said that a task force has been constituted for the preservation of historic sites.
Syed Aqil Shah said that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed with Water & Power Development Authority (Wapda) for establishment of resort and a boat ferry will be established at Khairabad. He said that negotiations with Frontier Constabulary (FC) would be held for the opening of historic Balahisar Fort for Peshwarits.
Furthermore, he said that Gore Ghutree would be converted into cultural tourism complex saying a fund of Rs 40 million has been approved. Similarly, he said that historic buildings including those belong to legendary Bollywood stars Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor will also purchased for and repaired for promotion of tourism.
He said that the provincial government had also announced the establishment of a Handicraft Centre in Peshawar in which skilled persons from the whole province will be given space and organisations like Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would be approved to facilitate the export of products of the local craftsmen.