CM approves plan to develop new tourist spots across Punjab

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has approved a plan to develop new tourist spots in the province to uplift the tourism industry.

In this regard, a high-level meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s Office. During the huddle, Buzdar directed to take immediate steps to develop the tourist spot of Suleman Range in Dera Ghazi Khan. The meeting also decided to renovate the resorts owned by Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) in DG Khan.

It was decided that camping sites, hip safari, paragliding and local heritage markets will also be developed to promote tourism at the grassroots.

Addressing the meeting, Buzdar said that vast opportunities were available to promote tourism as an industry in the province, adding that the government had devised a comprehensive strategy for the purpose.

“Southern Punjab was badly neglected in the past with regard to tourism and the development of tourist sites in the region will help promote tourism there,” he said and added that Suleman Range areas had a tremendous potential of tourism.

The CM further said that provision of necessary facilities to tourist spots of DG Khan division would be ensured. “Various earning opportunities will also be available to the local people due to the promotion of cultural tourism.”

He directed that tourist spots of Suleman Range should be fully projected through various social media platforms and steps should be taken for providing necessary facilities, including clean drinking water and security, at the new tourist sites.

“The tourists will be provided with all possible facilities at Mubarki Top as well. Provision of electricity at new tourist sites through solar panels should also be examined,” Buzdar said.

The CM added that small dams’ construction projects were under consideration to provide clean drinking water and also directed to develop Head Taunsa as a tourist spot. He further said that Chowk Malik of DG Khan, which enjoys a unique position due to its geographical location being at the confluence of four provinces, should be made attractive for tourists.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, additional chief secretary (Home), Planning & Development (P&D) chairman, Tourism secretary and other officials concerned attended the meeting.