PESHAWAR: Mohammad Atif Khan, Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has said that the provincial government has approved projects worth Rs30 billion for the development of schemes for the tourism, culture, sports and youth affairs sectors in the merged districts.
He was addressing an event organised in connection with the economic empowerment of the youth of the merged districts on Tuesday.
The minister holds the portfolios of tourism, sports, culture and youth affairs in the KP cabinet. Khan told those residents of Swat, Chitral and Hazara who rent their homes to tourists that they would be given a grant of Rs1 million and loans. For this purpose, he said an amount of Rs500 million was allocated. He said that they would also be given formal training in hospitality.
Khan said that the development of the merged districts is among the top priorities of Prime Minister Imran Khan and various development schemes regarding the development of tribal districts are being introduced. He added that an amount of Rs9 billion was allocated for development schemes, Rs8 billion for promotion of sports and Rs2 billion for culture.
The minister said that a scheme worth Rs3 billion would be launched soon for the youth of the merged districts to set up their own businesses and empower them economically.
Furthermore, Khan said that besides credit, the youth will also be taught business skills. The minister said Pakistan had become an attractive place for tourists. He said that 14 new tourist spots have been discovered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an amount of Rs5 billion has been allocated for their development.
Similarly, he said four integrated touristic zones are also being established wherein tourists will be provided facilities of an international standard.
