He expressed these views while talking to media men while visiting Pearl Continental Hotel Peshawar. The only Five Star Hotel in the province was closed last year in June due to destruction on large scale in a terrorists act and now has been reopened for tourists and guests on January 1, 2010, last.
Provincial President ANP Afraseyab Khattak, Senior Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Federal Minister for State Arbab Zahir, MPAs Masood Abbas, Advocate Pervez Khan, Pir Dilawar Shah, Pir Syed Haidar Ali Shah, Syed Ala-ud-Din, Jamila Gellani, Bushra Gohar, Provincial Ministers Mian Iftekhar Hussain, Ayub Ashari and Wajid Ali Khan were also with him on the occasion.
He is hopeful that more and more local and international tourists will visit this area in summer and they will be provided with better facilities. He said that the government and the people are working together for the elimination of terrorism. About the information of Hakim Ullah's death, the Chief Minister responded that he couldn't ascertain the information and only time could confirm such reports. In a question, the Chief Minister said that they have not received any funds or resources in connection with the reconstruction in Malakand Division.
"As far as relief is concerned, the federal government and donors did assist us for that we are thankful to them," he added. The Chief Minister said that he had signed an MoU with American Ambassador upon my last visit to Swat and $36 million under the agreement would be utilised for reconstruction, social and services sectors in Malakand Division, adding that funds are released yet as per promises of international community.
He hoped that funds would release soon in connection with reconstruction in Malakand division, however, he again reaffirmed that in case any delay occur in release of funds, the resources of annual developmental programme would be utilised for this purpose.
Earlier, the Chief Minister examined the construction work on damaged parts of the hotel. The hotel's administration apprised him that the repairing work on the damaged parts is swiftly moving and 56 rooms out of 148 rooms of the hotel have been reopened where all the facilities of 5-Star Hotel are duly provided.
The Chief Minister visited various parts of the hotel, including the gymnasium and expressed satisfaction and pleasure over reopening of the hotel in a short span of time. He also lauded the efforts of the hotel's administration in this connection.