The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a province-wide awareness campaign to promote the safety of domestic and international tourists during the ongoing monsoon season, while simultaneously reviewing the progress of key tourism development projects for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Campaign Launch and Coordination
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Tourism, Culture, Archaeology and Museums, Malik Adil Iqbal, directed the launch of the campaign to enhance visitor safety, improve public awareness and facilitate tourists travelling across the province. The initiative is being coordinated by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) under the supervision of its Director General, Shahid Khan Mohmand.
Deployment at Tourist Destinations
Dedicated KPCTA teams have been deployed at major tourist destinations, including Chakdara, Bab-e-Swat, Swat, Kalam, Chitral and Kalash, as well as in the districts of Abbottabad and Mansehra. The teams are distributing information brochures and safety pamphlets while advising visitors on safe travel practices, responsible tourism, prevailing weather conditions and precautionary measures to minimise potential risks.
Focus on Hazara and Malakand Divisions
Speaking about the initiative, Shahid Khan Mohmand said special awareness efforts had been intensified across the Hazara and Malakand divisions in view of the monsoon season. He urged tourists to avoid unnecessary movement near rivers, streams and other vulnerable locations where flash floods and landslides could pose serious hazards. He said KPCTA field teams remained deployed throughout the region to provide guidance and assistance to visitors.
Safety Advice and Helplines
The director general advised tourists to check the latest weather forecasts and travel advisories before undertaking journeys to tourist destinations. In the event of an emergency or for tourist-related assistance, visitors have been asked to contact the Tourism Helpline (1422) or the Provincial Emergency Helpline (911), both of which operate round the clock. He said the provincial government remained committed to providing a safe, secure and enjoyable travel experience. As part of this commitment, awareness material carrying emergency contact numbers, safety guidelines and responsible tourism advice is being distributed across the province.
Review of Development Projects for 2026-27
Meanwhile, a review meeting on the Tourism, Culture and Archaeology Department’s development portfolio for the 2026–27 fiscal year was held under the chairmanship of Malik Adil Iqbal. The meeting examined the progress of ongoing projects as well as proposals for new schemes, with detailed discussions focusing on financial utilisation, implementation targets and adherence to completion schedules.
Directions for Expedited Work
The special assistant directed the relevant authorities to expedite work on all development projects, remove unnecessary bottlenecks and ensure completion within the approved timelines. He said the provincial government was pursuing comprehensive measures to modernise the tourism sector and strengthen supporting infrastructure. Malik Adil said providing world-class facilities for visitors, upgrading existing tourist destinations and developing new tourism sites remained among the government’s foremost priorities. He added that the timely completion of development projects would help increase tourist activity, generate employment opportunities, strengthen local economies and promote sustainable tourism across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Monitoring and Coordination
He also instructed the concerned departments to maintain continuous monitoring of all projects, enhance inter-departmental coordination and ensure implementation remained aligned with the approved development targets.
