GDA anticipates private investment of Rs 23bn under ITZ project

PESHAWAR, Sep 11 (APP):The Director General (DG) Galiyat Development Authority (GDA), Mohammad Fawad has said that the promotion of eco-friendly tourism and safeguarding natural beauty is amongst their top priorities, where a massive investment of Rs 23 billion is anticipated from a private investor under the Thandiani Integrated Tourism Zone (ITZ) project.

Speaking to a delegation of Peshawar-based journalists during a visit organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, the GDA chief outlined several major initiatives launched by the authority.

These measures aim to preserve the region’s ecological balance and lush forests while providing tourists with modern, safe, and environmentally conscious facilities that also uplift the local community’s standard of living.

Among these initiatives is the rollout of electric sightseeing carts, designed to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution at key tourist spots while offering visitors a smoother travel experience. Furthermore, over the past year, the GDA has placed a complete ban on concrete construction, mandating the use of prefabricated and wooden eco-friendly structures instead. This policy is designed to protect Galiyat’s fragile mountain landscape and forests from the toll of unmanaged urban sprawl.

To curb haphazard high-rise construction, the authority amended its 2020 building control rules to introduce the new Building Control Regulations (BCR-2026). These updated guidelines strictly regulate building heights and volumes in sensitive ecological and tourist zones, reducing maximum permitted building heights from seven floors down to five in order to preserve scenic sightlines and maintain the region’s distinct alpine character.

A major milestone in Galiyat’s tourism development is the agreement signed with a private investor for the integrated development of nearly 400 kanal of land in Thandiani. Alongside the expected private investment of around PKR 23 billion, the project is projected to generate nearly PKR 2.5 billion in revenue for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Local authorities describe the Thandiani project as a flagship endeavor that will deliver modern, low-impact infrastructure, generate new employment opportunities, and stimulate economic activity without compromising the natural environment.

Infrastructure upgrades also address Galiyat’s vital water systems. To protect natural springs and freshwater sources from pollution, construction is currently underway on a water treatment plant in Nathiagali to prevent sewage and wastewater from contaminating local water supplies. Overall, the GDA’s ongoing reforms signal a shift away from high-density, high-volume tourism toward a sustainable model that preserves Galiyat’s forests, hydrology, and unique ecological identity as a world-class destination.