Peshawar, August 12, 2025 — In a major step to transform Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s top mountain destinations into world-class, sustainably managed tourist hubs, the provincial government has kicked off work on Master Plan Package No. 1 for the Kaghan, Naran, and Batakundi valleys.
The initiative, launched under the directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, aims to enhance tourism infrastructure, preserve cultural heritage, and safeguard local livelihoods.
The inception meeting was chaired by Dr. Abdul Samad, Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Archaeology, and Museums, who stressed the importance of strategic zoning, modern infrastructure planning, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The consulting firm Sheher Saaz has been hired to conduct comprehensive studies for the master plan.
Mr. Shabir Khan, Director General of the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), has been appointed as the focal person to coordinate between regional departments and the consulting team, ensuring smooth data collection and information sharing.
Dr. Abdul Samad directed that local communities must be actively engaged, indigenous culture promoted, and findings from past studies incorporated into the plan. He also instructed that KDA board members be included in the next planning session and work begin without delay to fast-track project implementation.
Officials say the master plan will serve as a blueprint for sustainable tourism growth, balancing environmental preservation with economic opportunities for the region.
