PESHAWAR, Pakistan: There is a good news for foreigners, who intend to visit the scenic spots in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are now not required to acquire any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for their travel.
A letter sent by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to the Secretary Sports, Tourism, Archeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Department and the KP Police chief said that the Malakand Division has been declared open and is no more restricted area.
The letter titled “Clarification/guidance regarding movement of tourists cases” that issued by the department on Tuesday has been termed the most important information and called for its immediate release to the quarters concerned, particularly the foreigners visiting the serene sites located in Swat and Chitral of Malakand Division.
The letter issued by the section officer (Foreigners & Media) of the Home Department said: “Further in continuation of this department’s letter of even number dated 16th March 2016, I am directed to state that foreign tourists who intend to visit Malakand Division, are not required to get
NOC, as Malakand Division has been declared open and is no more restricted area. The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators may be facilitated in the conduct of their tours.”
The copy of this information has also been forwarded to the Headquarters 11 Corps, Peshawar, the Joint Director General Intelligence Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, personal staff officer to chief minister of KP, personal staff officer to KPK chief secretary, Additional Inspector General of Police, Special Branch, KP, and Secretary Home Department.
The NOC was a big obstacle in the way of foreign tourists who wanted to travel to tourism-rich Swat and Chitral areas.
Now no NOC will be required by foreign tourists anymore to visit Swat and Chitral, as travel restrictions to these tourism rich areas relaxed for the foreigners.
Source: APP