KP budget aims at developing tourism and culture: Advisor

PESHAWAR
Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Tourism and Culture, Zahid Chanzeb Sunday said significant development projects have been proposed for the development of tourism and culture sectors in the provincial budget.
These projects are aimed at transforming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a world-class tourist destination, boosting the local economy, and creating employment opportunities.
Chanzeb welcomed the allocation of substantial funds for these initiatives in the 2025-26 fiscal Year, terming it a major step toward the promotion of tourism and culture.
To promote cultural activities, community-based programs worth Rs120 million will be launched. For the preservation and promotion of the province’s valuable cultural heritage on the international stage, Rs75 million will be spent on the infrastructure of Nishtar Hall. Several projects have been initiated to provide high-quality facilities to tourists, including Rs250 million allocated for recreational facilities at dam sites, with work on three dams set to begin soon. Rs450 million has been set aside to provide services at nine key tourist locations. Additionally, Rs 300 million has been allocated for constructing seating areas, restrooms, and tuck shops near six waterfalls to highlight the province’s natural beauty. Picnic spot development projects across various districts have been allocated Rs 288 million, while Rs 400 million has been reserved for consultancy, feasibility studies, and master planning.
To improve public sanitation infrastructure at popular tourist destinations like Kaghan, Naran, Kalam, and Thandiani, Rs 100 million has been allocated. A project worth Rs 500 million under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will be launched to promote eco-tourism and manage waste at tourist sites.
Notable progress has already been made in tourism development in Thandiani, where an Expression of Interest (EOI) was initiated on May 30, 2025, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have since been issued. It is expected that by September, an investor will establish an Integrated Tourism Zone (ITG) there. Work is also underway in Ganol.
Under the PPP model, a park in Hund Swabi, a camping village in Gabin Jabba, Naran, and a water park in Khesgi have been proposed. Additionally, plans include an adventure park in Kaghan, a resort near Sardaryab in Charsadda, and a theme park in Peshawar.
The government is also committed to the development of the merged districts. Rs 150 million has been allocated for the preservation of ancient archaeological sites in the region. Funds have been reserved for new resorts in the tourism sector, while Rs 100 million has been allocated for promoting cultural activities in the merged districts.
Camping pods will soon be installed in these areas. To engage the local population in the tourism sector, festivals will be organized with an allocation of Rs 426 million. Furthermore, UNDP will install camping pods in the merged districts at a cost of Rs 1.5 billion. All these initiatives aim at promoting tourism and culture related activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, generate employment for locals, and establish the province as an attractive and sustainable tourist destination.