by Taimoor khan :
In a bold move to boost tourism in northern Pakistan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to lease out 58 acres of prime land in Abbottabad’s scenic Thandiani region for the development of five-star hotels, parks, and other recreational facilities. The initiative, aimed at drawing international investment, includes plans for a high-profile investors’ conference to be held soon.
Despite the land’s estimated market value exceeding Rs7.48 billion, documents reveal it is being offered at significantly reduced lease rates—around Rs1.6 crore per kanal—for a period of 50 years. This undervaluation has sparked debate, though officials argue that the project will generate long-term economic benefits, including Rs2 billion in revenue for the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA).
The tourism-focused project is part of a broader development vision funded in part by the World Bank, which includes the establishment of four Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZs): Madaklasht in Chitral, Mankial in Swat, Thandiani in Abbottabad, and Ganol in Mansehra. Feasibility studies for all four zones were completed in 2021 and 2022. However, slow progress from the tourism department has delayed implementation, with only Mankial and Ganol making
