Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the promotion of tourism is inevitable to repay debts by boosting exports and wealth creation.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of Sambrial-Kharian Motorway, he said the project would facilitate the industrial triangle of Gujranwala-Wazirabad-Sialkot which was also a densely population region.
Mr Khan said that so far the country was looking at domestic tourism but once the road between Swat and Gilgit would be constructed it would attract foreign tourists, thus bringing foreign exchange. He said tourism could fill the dollar gap until country’s exports reached the desired level.
The prime minister appreciated the communications minister and the NHA for executing numerous projects within record time.
Communications Minister Murad Saeed told the gathering that it was the first motorway of north Punjab. After approval by the Central Development Working Party, the second phase would also be launched from Kharian to Rawalpindi this year.
NHA Chairman Khurram Agha said the NHA had saved Rs12bn by bargaining the motorway project’s cost from initial Rs43bn to Rs32bn. Later, he added, Frontier Works Organisation, the contractor, also gave a voluntary concession of Rs1bn.
