Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is spearheading a campaign to promote construction of disaster-resilient tourist spots and avoid the constructions that are a threat to human life in terms of their design, structure or utility “This will not only bring foreign exchange to the national exchequer but will also help mitigate the impacts of natural disasters on the country’s tourism infrastructure. It is also necessary to make the tourism sector more sustainable,” stressed Aftabur Rehman Rana, PTDC Managing Director. In an interview with WealthPK, he said: “PTDC is spearheading a campaign to bring awareness among the stakeholders related to the tourism industry. Certain bylaws in our country restrict constructions of buildings that are a threat to human life in terms of their design, structure or utility.” He said certain guidelines were issued after the devastating earthquake of 2005, which brought widespread destruction to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, to ensure construction of safe buildings in the areas close to the active fault lines.

He said the level of consciousness among the stakeholders concerning non-life-threatening or sustainable architecture had not developed yet. He said the government needed to promote the best practices in construction of buildings. “In the highlands, high-rise and multi-storey buildings should not be allowed. You see this in Murree, Nathia Gali, Kaghan and Swat valleys. These areas are highly sensitive in terms of their proximity to the fault line and vulnerable to disasters like floods and cloud bursts.” Aftab said: “KP province has a specific law, barring constructions along the Swat River. The Protection Act disallows hotels and other structures to be raised on the banks of the river. The law stipulates that no construction of any type is allowed within the range of 200 feet on the left or right sides of the riverbank. However, many hotels have sprung up there.” He said there is a dire need of law enforcement for public safety. “We need to strengthen the regulatory reforms and the implementation mechanism in all these areas to ensure safe buildings.

We need to spread the information regarding the safety measures.” He said PTDC is promoting construction of disaster-resilient tourist spots in accordance with international tourist safety standards to increase tourist footfall in Pakistan. Highlighting the importance of disaster-resilient constructions, especially related to the tourism sector, deputy director of Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department’s Baltistan region Rahat Karim Baig told WealthPK that it was necessary to avoid constructions in places vulnerable to being located at the fault lines or in areas prone to floods and landslides. He appreciated the role of PTDC in bringing awareness concerning this critical issue. Speaking with WealthPK, Yasir Hassan, a tour operating agency manager, stated: “The safety of tourists, whether domestic or international, must be the paramount concern for tour operators. Ensuring a safe and secure tourism experience is essential for a thriving tourism industry, as content tourists are likely to revisit various locales within a nation. Globally, adhering to safety protocols is deemed a duty, particularly within the hospitality industry.” Yasir noted that in Pakistan, while regulations governing construction are in place, their enforcement is found wanting.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan