Islamabad, May 5, 2026: The Senate of Pakistan Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination on Tuesday stressed the need for urgent improvements in infrastructure and institutional coordination to unlock the tourism potential of Chitral.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Dilawar Khan, reviewed a broad agenda focused on tourism development, national programmes and institutional reforms. Senators c and Syed Kazim Ali Shah attended the session.
Officials from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination briefed the committee on efforts to promote tourism in Chitral, which they described as the largest tourism region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a key hub for adventure and cultural tourism.
The briefing highlighted prominent tourist destinations including Reshun, Garm Chashma, Laspur, the Kalash Valleys, Shandur Pass and Chitral Gol National Park.
Officials informed lawmakers that following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, tourism management was devolved to provincial governments and PTDC motels were transferred in 2022. A total of 19 tourism properties were handed over to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including five motels in Chitral that have since been leased to Green Tourism under the Special Investment Facilitation Council framework.
The committee was told that Chitral receives approximately 9.5 million domestic tourists annually, while foreign tourist arrivals increased from 1,500 in 2022 to 2,700 in 2025. Officials also cited the establishment of the Kalash Valley Development Authority and growing investment interest from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Authorities said initiatives including digital tourism platforms, the “Visit Chitral Valley” website, brochures, tourism maps and collaboration with UNESCO were underway. A “Responsible Tourism” campaign has also been launched to promote environmental protection and respect for local culture in the Kalash region.
Despite these initiatives, lawmakers voiced serious concern over inadequate infrastructure and security-related restrictions affecting tourism growth.
Senator Talha Mehmood criticized the lack of internet connectivity, accommodation facilities, healthcare services and road infrastructure in Chitral, stating that tourism promotion efforts would remain ineffective without addressing basic public needs.
He highlighted severe healthcare shortages, claiming that some hospitals lacked even basic water supply for surgeries and that dialysis machines in parts of Chitral remained non-functional.
The senator also raised concerns over dangerous road conditions, prolonged route closures during winter months and limited flight operations, saying travel to Shandur could take up to 12 hours under difficult conditions.
He criticized the requirement for foreign tourists to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs), describing it as a major obstacle for international tourism and questioning delays in the approval process.
Senator Aimal Wali Khan echoed these concerns and pointed to disparities in tourism development between northern tourist destinations such as Murree, Nathia Gali and Naran-Kaghan compared to Chitral and surrounding areas.
He said basic necessities such as roads, fuel, healthcare and internet services were lacking even for local residents, adding that poor planning and overcrowding at tourist sites reflected broader policy failures.
The committee chairman directed officials to present a comprehensive review of provincial tourism performance and announced that a dedicated future meeting would focus exclusively on Chitral’s tourism and development challenges.
Senator Dilawar Khan said representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications, National Highway Authority, Civil Aviation Authority and relevant provincial departments would be summoned to address the concerns raised during the session.
The committee also reviewed a proposal by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to revive and centralize the National Internship Programme to improve transparency and coordination across public-sector institutions.
In addition, members received a briefing on the Gun and Country Club, including its membership structure, facilities and expansion plans.
Concluding the meeting, lawmakers stressed the importance of coordinated planning, improved infrastructure and stronger governance mechanisms, stating that Chitral possessed immense potential to emerge as a globally recognized tourism destination if longstanding structural issues were addressed effectively.
