Devolution of tourism ministry: motels, information centres not yet transferred to Sindh

Federal Government hasn't yet transferred motels and tourist information centre at Hawks Bay and also motel and tourist information centre of Moen-jo-Daro including 32 canals' public land to Sindh government along with other establishments of Federal Tourism Ministry, reliable sources told Business Recorder.
Tourism Ministry has been devolved to the provinces along with other four ministries in the second phase of devolution. Sources told that after receiving directive of Devolution Cabinet Committee (DCC), Sindh Tourism Department submitted its report regarding transferred and non-transferred establishments of Tourism Ministry.
According to the report, motel at Hawks Bay Karachi, tourist information centre at Thatta, motel and tourist information centre at Moen-Jo-Daro and 32 canals' public land are still under the control of Federal Government which should have been transferred to Sindh Government when Tourism Ministry was devolved.
While only Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM) and Department of Tourist Services (DTS) were transferred to Sindh during the time of devolution, sources told. Above-said non-transferred centers and land are still under the control of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC); now these are under the cabinet division of Federal Government, sources added.
Before the devolution, Keenjhar lake resort, Thatta, Lal Shahbaz Rest House, Sehwan, Sambara Inn, Larkana, Haleji rest house, Thatta, Laki and Kai rest houses, Sehwan and Marvi rest house, Mithi were the only properties of Sindh Tourism Department, sources told.
It is pertinent to mention here that Sindh Government has decided to raise the issue of non-transfer of attached subjects, lands, buildings, plants, machinery, furniture and fixtures, equipment, transport and vehicles, funds and receivables of 17 devolved Federal Ministries in upcoming Council of Common Interests (CCI). After the submission of the reports from all devolved departments, Inter Provincial Co-ordination (IPC) department will sent these reports to provincial Law department for legal opinion. Later, the case would be made and would be take-up in CCI.
Sources also claimed that like Sindh, other provinces have also reservations that Centre has not transferred all assets and functions of Tourism Ministry despite devolving it. A few days ago, Officials of Tourism department of Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa had approached the concerned officials of Sindh and other provincial governments to arrange a sitting and discussed the issue of non-transfer of assets of tourism ministry. Sources claimed that before the CCI, a meeting would also take place in Islamabad and officials of all provincial tourism departments could make a strategy in this regard.