Sindh Tourism department has prepared a draft of the Bill regarding up-gradation of Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM) as University with establishment of its campuses in four districts, well placed sources told Business Recorder on Monday. PITHM is first ever government-run institute of hotel management; it has become the property of Sindh Government after devolution of Federal Ministry of Tourism.
It has seven spacious class rooms, one Training Restaurant, Kitchen, Bakery and a big hall for seminars with sitting arrangements of about 200 people, Library, student's common room and canteen. A few weeks ago, Tourism department had decided to upgrade PITHM as University. While, a committee was formed to preparer the draft of the Bill in this regard, sources told.
The said committee comprising of high level officials of department and legal experts has completed its work on draft of the Bill regarding up-gradation of PITHM. The copy of draft of the Bill has been forwarded to Law department for legal opinion a few days ago, sources revealed. After legal opinion, the Bill would be tabled in Sindh assembly's next session, sources further explained.
According to major points of draft, the campuses of PITHM would be established in Hyderabad, Benazirabad, Khairpur Mir's, and Larkana district headquarters. In this connection, Sindh Government has already initiated a scheme to establish campuses of PITHM with total cost of Rs 100 million in Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2011-12. Initially, Rs 10 million has been allocated in this regard.
The changing of name of PITHM as Zulifqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ZABITHM) is also major point of prepared-draft, sources told Business Recorder. After the passage of Bill, Tourism department would recruit staff for all campuses including the main university building. While, more class rooms would be constructed on vacated plot nearby PITHM building which is also property of the institute, sources added.