STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR: A delegation of the Nathiagali Hotel Association met with the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur at the Chief Minister’s House on Thursday. The meeting focused on resolving challenges faced by hotel owners in tourist regions, improving services for tourists and promoting tourism across the province. Provincial Cabinet’s members Khaliq ur Rehman and Muzammil Aslam, along with senior officials from relevant departments also attended the meeting. The delegation briefed the Chief Minister on key issues faced by hoteliers in Nathiagali, Naran, and Kaghan. Responding to their concerns, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holds immense potential for tourism and the government is taking comprehensive measures under a well-devised strategy to unlock these opportunities. He reiterated that the incumbent provincial government is committed to modernizing the tourism sector and facilitating private investment in the province. The Chief Minister said that private investors are being encouraged and are being provided with all necessary support to ensure their contributions to tourism development. Alongside infrastructure and service enhancements, the government is also prioritizing the preservation of the natural environment in tourist areas. He stressed that the natural landscape is a valuable asset and a trust for future generations, and its protection must be a shared responsibility. Highlighting collaborative governance, Ali Amin Gandapur noted that if the public and private sectors work together, tourism can flourish while safeguarding the environment. He also mentioned ongoing government’s initiatives, including the development of three additional tourist destinations in the province and the construction of access roads to improve connectivity. Additionally, the tax collection system is being digitized to ensure transparency and ease of payment for taxpayers, with a digital payment system already introduced for this purpose. To further support the hotel industry, the Chief Minister announced plans to implement a uniform taxation policy. He explained that following a comprehensive survey of the hotel industry in tourist areas, a five-year taxation framework would be introduced. ‘All types of taxes in these regions would be collected through a single authority to streamline the process”, he remarked. Chief Minister also addressed the longstanding issue of water scarcity in Nathiagali, stating that work is underway to resolve it on a permanent basis. Moreover, a hospital project for tourists in Naran and Kaghan has been included in the Annual Development Programme. He added that a three-kilometer stretch of road connecting Naran and Kaghan will also be rehabilitated and expanded. During the meeting, the Chief Minister urged the Nathiagali Hotel Association to cooperate with the government in bringing unregistered hotels into the tax net. The delegation thanked the Chief Minister for his time and attention to their concerns and assured full support to the provincial government’s efforts in promoting sustainable tourism.
