PTDC initiates 9 tourism development projects

RAWALPINDI - Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has initiated nine major tourism development projects across the country to cater facilities to the visiting tourists and flourish the tourist industry in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Tourism Atta-ur-Rehman was informed this during his visit to PTDC head office here the other day.
Managing Director (MD) PTDC Sareer Mohammad Khan welcomed the Minister and briefed him about the overall performance of PTDC and financial crisis presently being faced by the organisation.
General Manager (Planning and Projects) Abdul Wahab Khan informed the Minister and the Managing Director that PTDC had undertaken nine major tourism development projects throughout the country.
He told that these projects included construction of bus terminal at Nankana Sahib, establishment of Tourist Facilitation Centers (TFCs) at Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad and rehabilitation and refurbishment of existing PTDC Motel at Moenjodaro.
He continued that construction work for the bus terminal at Nankana Sahib had already been completed up to roof level whereas arrangement of land for all other projects was under process while PTDC Motel and Restaurant at Hawksbay Karachi was also near completion.
Abdul Wahab informed that the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) had approved a number of other tourism development projects that included roadside facility at Ali Wanda, DI Khan, tourist resort at DI Khan, budgetary hotels at Sehwan Sharif and Bhit Shah.
Iftikhar Hussain Satti, General Manager (Flashman Hotel) briefed the Minister regarding the performance of the hotel and submitted a number of suggestions for improvement of services and quality thus generating more revenue.
The Federal Minister assured his full support and cooperation for improving the status of the hotel.
The Minister was also briefed about the dilapidated condition of transport fleet of Pakistan Tours Ltd which required replacement with new fleet to provide comfortable travelling to Pakistani and foreign tourists to make the organization a profitable concern.
In this regard, the Minister directed PTDC to auction the outdated fleet to place a PC-I for the replacement of the fleet.
Minister Atta-ur-Rehman told that he had a meeting with the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, where he apprised the Prime Minister about the performance and steps being taken by the Ministry of Tourism and PTDC for promotion of tourism in the country while the Prime Minister had assured his full cooperation and support in meeting to overcome the financial requirements of PTDC and the Ministry.