The Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) is planning to purchase two motorboats worth Rs 20 million for the rescue of picnickers at the Keenjhar lake resort.
Well-sources told Pakistan Today that the provincial chief minister had earlier approved the summary to grant Rs 20 million for the purchase of rescue boats for the lake; however, the Sindh Finance Department is delaying the release of funds.
The Keenjhar Lake in Thatta district is one of the major tourists attractions in Sindh and is frequently visited by tourists from all over the province especially Karachi, Hyderabad and other suburban locations.
On weekends, holidays and vacations, thousands of picnickers throng the lake to enjoy swimming, boating and the natural surrounding; however, there was no facility of risk or emergency management in case of any mishap.
The sources said that the Sindh Tourism Secretary had forwarded a letter to the Finance secretary for the early release of funds to purchase the boats.
“Realising the urgent need, the Sindh chief minister has been kind enough to allow one-time special grant of Rs 20 million for the purchase of two rescue launches vide summary dated 29-5-2011 and necessary allocation was accordingly made in the current fiscal year budget but this budgeted amount has not been released as yet,” it was stated in the letter. “Since an amount of Rs 20 million stands already allocated with the approval of the honourable Sindh chief minister, it will therefore be appreciated if you may kindly release the amount, enabling this department (STDC) to purchase the motorboats for Keenjhar Lake as a lifesaving measure to help build confidence of picnickers for promotion of water land tourism.”