Agreement between Sindh Tourism Development Corporation and Irrigation Department for Keenjhar Lake Tourism Resort pending since 2006
Staff Report
Karachi, Sindh
Most of the tourism development projects of Sindh are awaiting execution since long, as the concerned departments and institutions are inactive.
This transpired in a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday May 21, 2024, when discussing the development of Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, Hawks Bay and Gorakh Hill Resorts as world-class tourist sites in Public-public-private partnership, it was told that the agreement between Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) and the irrigation department for running the Keenjhar Lake as a tourist spot was pending since 2006 and needed to be renewed so that further action could be initiated.
The Chief Minister had to issue fresh directives to the Irrigation & Culture departments to execute their agreement.
Haleji Lake Road in dilapidated condition
The Chief Minister was also told that a six km road from Karachi-Thatta National Highway to Haliji Lake was dilapidated. He said that the road must be reconstructed for which he directed the Works & Services department to start reconstruction work.
The meeting discussed a proposal to develop new Tourism Sites at Parchi Javeri and Nagarparkar. The chief minister directed Minister Culture & Tourism Zulfiqar Shah to study the proposal and file his recommendations.
The meeting agreed that Desert Safari may be incentivized by launching special trains and offering different packages to attract visitors and participants. Shah sought proposals for improving desert safari activities.
Road to Gorakh Hill in Poor Condition
An old proposal also came again under discussion for the establishment/raising of the Sindh Tourism Police. The CM directed the Culture & Tourism department to submit its proposal for raising separate police along with their assignment, including reporting to the CM for further necessary action.
The meeting discussed the old proposal to graft the wild olives at Gorakh Hill on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The private party would plant and grow wild Olives for oil extraction on a commercial basis. Orders for implementing this proposal were issued in 2021.
Read: Olive Tree Plantation at Gorakh Hill ordered
The CM directed the Agriculture and Public Private Partnership departments to suggest an agreement for private parties so that the project could be taken up.
The chief minister was told that the road to Gorakh Hill Station was in poor condition due to recent heavy rains. The CM directed the Works & Service department to repair/reconstruct the road. It was pointed out that a proposal for the construction of an expressway from Karachi to Dadu was under consideration which would connect Balochistan and various cities and towns of the province through intersections.
Gorakh Hill Authority Chief to be changed
The chief minister said that the Gorakh Hill Master Plan has been approved and ordered the release of allocated funds.
Murad Shah directed the acting chief secretary to post a good officer as the new Director General Gorakh Hill to implement the proposed development initiative.
Engaging Foreign Companies in Corporate Farming
The meeting discussed the proposal of corporate farming to engage international companies in the PPP mode.
The Irrigation department proposed CC lining of the lower Nara Canal for stopping water seepage. The CM directed the Irrigation department to submit their proposals for lining the canal.
They discussed facilitating private parties (PPP mode) to establish shrimp farms/ hatcheries along the coastal highway of Sindh. The CM directed the Fisheries department to submit business models for further action.
Outsourcing Govt. Cattle Farms
The meeting also discussed outsourcing the provincial government’s cattle farms at Rohri, Umerkot and Naukot. The private parties would invest in and improve cattle breeds for milk and meat as private partners of the provincial government.
The meeting was held at CM House and was attended by provincial ministers – Nasir Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Zulfiqar Shah, Dost Ali Rahimoo acting chief Secretary Musadiq Ahmad, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, provincial secretaries, Major General Muhammad Hussain of PCIC, Brig Zile Hasnain of 5 Corps and others.
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