PESHAWAR, Feb 13 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said that promotion of tourism and agriculture was essential for ensuring sustainable economic growth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He expressed these views while talking to a delegation led by Gandhara Properties Chairman Farrukh Raza Chaudhry, which called on him at Governor House Peshawar. The delegation included former federal minister Sajid Hussain Turi, Syed Gulzar Saqi, Chaudhry Nabeel, Tanveer Hussain Shah, Tariq Bangash, Chaudhry Arooj Raza, Chaudhry Aoun Raza, Chaudhry Tousif, Syed Shiraz Hussain Shirazi, Chaudhry Irfan Ali, Chaudhry Daim, Chaudhry Zohaib and Ali Furqan.
During the meeting, matters relating to promotion of tourism, religious tourism, agriculture and overall economic development in the province came under discussion.
The Governor said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was blessed with immense natural beauty and historical significance, but many tourist destinations lacked basic facilities.
He stressed that the tourism department must focus on provision of improved infrastructure, accommodation, roads and other essential services to facilitate visitors.
He said that the province also had vast potential in religious tourism, which could be effectively utilized through proper planning and development initiatives.
Discussing agriculture, the Governor said adoption of modern farming techniques and technology could help meet not only the food requirements of the province but also contribute to national food security, thereby strengthening the economy.
He added that fruits produced in the province were of high quality and, if supported with modern technology, cold storage and value addition facilities, exports could be significantly increased to earn valuable foreign exchange.
The Governor emphasized that investment and reforms in tourism and agriculture sectors were indispensable for economic progress and assured that relevant departments would be directed to take effective measures to ensure sustainable development by utilizing the province’s resources.
Farrukh Raza Chaudhry and members of the delegation thanked the Governor for nominating Scout Aoun Abbas, who foiled a suicide attack at Jamia Masjid Khadija-tul-Kubra in Tarlai, Islamabad, for Tamgha-e-Jurat and Sitara-e-Imtiaz.