PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that promotion of tourism and sports in the province is one of the prime objectives of the government.

He said that promotion of sports and tourism would not only lead to healthy activities but would also contribute significantly to the provincial exchequer.

According to statement issued by Chief Minister House here on Sunday, a total of 124 projects including 90 ongoing and 34 new, worth around Rs19.5 billion, have been reflected in the current Annual Development Programme (ADP) insports, tourism, youth affairs, archaeology and culture sector.

The projects also include various development schemes worth Rs2.5 billion for tribal districts.

About 38 projects will be completed during the current financial year to provide modern sports and tourism facilities to the people of the province.

The chief minister said that as per the vision of PTI chairman Imran Khan, result-oriented steps were being tal(en to promote tourism and sports sector on modern lines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Construction of sports complexes in Chitral, Lower Dir, Hangu and Abbottabad has been included in the current ADP alongside the rehabilitation and improvement of existing sports facilities across the province.

Mahmood Khan said that various projects worth billions of rupees were part of the current ADP to boost the tourism potential of the province. He said thatthe government established Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority to promote tourism at international level and project the positive image of the country and the province.

He said that three new development authorities including Kalash, Kumrat and Upper Swat were also been set up. He said that for the first time in the history of province, tourism police were launched for the protection and security of tourists.

The chief minister said that rehabilitation and construction of roads in Malakand and Hazara were also under way while at different tourist spots camping pods were installed for the facilitation of tourists.

Similarly, a project for the establishment of four integrated tourism zones in Malakand and Hazara was planned to boost tourism-related activities in the province.

Mahmood Khan said that similar steps were taken in the sports sector to provide state-of-the-artfacilities to youth and train them to compete at international level.

After the establishment of playgrounds at district and tehsil level, another project has also been initiated set up sports facilities at union council level.

He said that government was going to establish a cricket stadium of international standard in Kalam. He said that government also established sports complex in Kohat with multiple facilities. He added that gymnasium, hockey turfs and other playing facilities were provided to various sports complexes in different districts.

The chief minister said that sports facilities were also being provided to tribal districts and a project worth Rs5 million was in progressforupgradation andrehabilitation of sports facilities in those districts. He said that construction of sports complex in Bajur was completed while indoor gymnasium was set up at Parachinar sports complex.